SEOUL: Investigators revealed the black boxes from a Jeju Air crash stopped recording minutes before the disaster unfolded.
The passenger plane belly-landed and exploded at Muan International Airport on December 29, killing 179 people.
Officials hoped the black boxes would explain why the Bangkok-to-Muan flight ended in such tragedy.
The crash is South Korea’s deadliest aviation accident in nearly 30 years, leaving two survivors.
Analysis Faces Technical Challenges
Initial analysis of the cockpit voice recorder was conducted locally but later sent to the United States.
The flight data recorder, heavily damaged and missing a connector, was also sent to the US for analysis.
South Korean investigators couldn’t retrieve data due to the device’s damaged state after the devastating accident.
Both recorders are now undergoing detailed examination by the National Transportation Safety Board in the United States.
Officials Await Key Insights
Authorities hope the US analysis will reveal critical information to determine the causes of the tragic plane crash.
Investigators expect the voice recordings and limited flight data to provide at least partial insights into the accident.
The devices are crucial for uncovering technical issues or human errors leading up to the explosion.
Until results arrive, the exact sequence leading to the fatal belly-landing remains a mystery.
Historical Implications of the Tragedy
The crash shocked South Korea and brought attention to Jeju Air’s safety measures and aviation standards.
For context, this accident marks South Korea’s most devastating air disaster since the 1990s.
Victims’ families demand accountability while aviation authorities stress improving safety protocols to prevent future incidents.
This investigation is crucial for enhancing aviation safety, particularly during high-demand international routes.
The case exemplifies the challenges investigators face when critical data recorders are damaged in aviation disasters.
International collaboration is now the key to understanding this catastrophic event and avoiding similar tragedies globally.
