In brief
The tragic crash of Jeju Air flight last month, which resulted in 179 fatalities, raises more questions as the flight data and cockpit voice recorders stopped functioning just four minutes before the disaster.
The catastrophic crash of Jeju Air flight last month, which resulted in the deaths of 179 people, stands as South Korea's most tragic aviation disaster. Recent reports from the country’s transport ministry indicate that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders, critical in understanding the final moments before the flight's demise, ceased recording a mere four minutes prior to the incident. The flight, originating from Bangkok, met a tragic end on December 29, crashing at Muan International Airport after landing without deploying its landing gear. The plane then skidded into a wall at the runway's edge, igniting a fire that led to the loss of nearly all passengers onboard, with only two crew members surviving.While investigators expressed hopes that the recorders would shed light on the grave circumstances leading to the crash, their preliminary analysis revealed the unexpected halt in data capture. This has raised concerns amongst experts regarding the power supply to the devices. Sim Jai-dong, a former investigator for the transport ministry, suggested this abrupt loss might indicate that all power sources, including backups, may have been compromised.The ministry has initiated a thorough examination to ascertain the reasons behind the recorders' operative failure. Meanwhile, inquiries have begun to explore possible factors, including bird strikes or adverse weather conditions, which could have contributed to the aviation disaster. Additionally, questions linger regarding the absence of the landing gear upon impact and the adequacy of pre-flight checks, which reportedly showed no problems before takeoff.As families of the victims strive for answers amid growing frustrations over the pace of recovery efforts, the investigation remains focused on uncovering the truth behind this heart-wrenching tragedy, with many pressing for a more rigorous examination of safety protocols in air travel.
