Key findings reveal recorder malfunction before the deadly incident
In a significant development in South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster, investigators have discovered that crucial flight recorders on the ill-fated Jeju Air aircraft ceased functioning approximately four minutes before the catastrophic crash at Muan International Airport.
Investigation details
The South Korean Transport Ministry revealed today that both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders—commonly known as “black boxes”—stopped recording critical data moments before the Boeing 737-800 collided with a concrete structure, resulting in 179 fatalities.
“The discovery of the missing data from the crucial final minutes was surprising and suggests all power, including backup, may have been cut, which is rare,” said Sim Jai-dong, a former transport ministry accident investigator.
Technical analysis and international cooperation
The investigation has taken an international turn, with both recording devices being sent to the United States for detailed analysis. While the voice recorder underwent initial examination in South Korea, the discovery of missing data prompted authorities to seek assistance from the US National Transportation Safety Board laboratory.
Timeline of the fatal flight
The tragedy unfolded when Jeju Air flight 7C2216, en route from Bangkok to Muan, experienced a series of critical events:
- Air traffic control issued a bird activity warning two minutes before the emergency
- Pilots reported a bird strike and declared an emergency
- The aircraft attempted a go-around but made an unexpected approach from the opposite runway end
- The plane crash-landed without deployed landing gear, hitting an embankment and bursting into flames
The investigation has raised questions about the airport’s infrastructure, particularly the concrete embankment supporting the localizer system. Its proximity to the runway and rigid construction have become focal points of the inquiry.
Family members of the victims have voiced concerns about the investigation’s leadership, calling for independent experts to be included in the process. In response, the transport ministry has pledged transparency and committed to sharing information with the bereaved families.
Survivor account
In a remarkable aspect of the tragedy, two crew members located in the tail section survived the crash and were successfully rescued, providing potentially valuable insights into the disaster’s final moments.
The incident marks South Korea’s most severe aviation disaster on domestic soil, prompting a comprehensive review of aviation safety protocols and infrastructure design at regional airports.