In brief
Experts express concerns over mysterious loss of final recording minutes as investigation deepens into the cause of the tragic air crash.
Flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the Jeju Air accident in South Korea, which killed 179 people last month, ceased recording just four minutes prior to the impact, according to the country’s transport ministry. This disaster marks the worst air accident on South Korean soil, with only two out of 181 passengers and crew members surviving the tragic event.Investigators anticipated that the flight recorders, commonly known as "black boxes," would provide essential data to help clarify the moments leading up to the crash. However, the ministry has stated they will need to analyze why the recorders stopped working at such a critical time. Initial examinations took place in South Korea, but after discovering the missing final minutes, the recorders were shipped to the United States for further analysis by American air safety regulators.On December 29, the passenger aircraft, which was returning from Bangkok, crash-landed at Muan International Airport. It touched down approximately one-third of the way down the runway with its landing gear retracted, subsequently skidding into a wall, leading to a devastating fire.Experts in aviation safety, including former transport ministry investigator Sim Jai-dong, noted that the loss of data during those final moments raises concerns about a potential total power failure, including that of backup systems.As investigators probe further into the incident, they are examining if external factors like a bird strike or adverse weather conditions could have contributed to the crash. Also under scrutiny is the reason for the Boeing 737-800’s failure to deploy its landing gear at the time of impact. The absence of any pre-flight issues during checks has added to the uncertainty surrounding this tragic event, leaving grieving families awaiting answers about their loved ones’ remains amidst ongoing investigations.
