South Korean officials announced on Wednesday that they would send a black box from the recent Jeju Air crash to the United States for analysis. This crash, involving a plane from Thailand, tragically resulted in 179 fatalities, marking the country’s worst aviation disaster.
Read: Deadliest Plane Crash in South Korea Claims 179 Lives at Muan Airport
The aircraft made a distress call before crash-landing, striking a barrier, and igniting at Muan in southwestern South Korea. Among the 181 onboard, only two flight attendants survived, rescued from the wreckage.
Investigations led by both South Korean and U.S. teams, including experts from Boeing, are actively examining the site. South Korea’s deputy minister for civil aviation, Joo Jong-wan, stated, “The flight data recorder cannot be analyzed locally due to damage.” It was thus decided to send it to the U.S. for detailed examination in cooperation with the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
Initial assessments have already been processed for the cockpit voice recorder. “We are converting this data to audio format to clarify the pilots’ last communications,” Joo mentioned.
Further inspections target the plane’s landing gear, which was suspected of malfunctioning during the crash. After a first unsuccessful landing attempt where the gear functioned, it failed during the second, contributing to the accident’s severity.
Authorities originally speculated a bird strike but now consider the runway’s concrete barrier, which exacerbated the crash’s impact. The ongoing probe also includes a thorough review of the Boeing 737-800’s landing system by local airlines.
Acting president Choi Sang-mok confirmed the continuation of the joint investigation with U.S. experts, focusing initially on a localiser. This navigation aid might have played a role in the crash. Meanwhile, memorial services are being prepared across the country, with altars set up in Seoul and at the airport to honour the victims.
