South Korea Plane Crash: Missing Data Raises Alarm Among Investigators

In a shocking turn of events, the final four minutes of flight data from the deadly Jeju Air crash, which claimed 179 lives, are missing. Investigators aim to discover why the crucial recorders ceased functioning before the disaster.

The flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the Jeju Air flight that crashed last month have stopped recording four minutes prior to the tragic incident, according to South Korean transport officials. This devastating air disaster, which occurred on December 29, claimed the lives of 179 passengers and crew, marking it as the worst aviation calamity in South Korea's history; only two cabin crew members survived the crash.

Authorities had anticipated that the recorders would shed light on the critical moments leading up to the catastrophe. However, the transport ministry's revelation that these black boxes ceased functioning unexpectedly has raised significant concerns about the investigation. The ministry is currently working to determine the reasons behind the abrupt halt in recording.

The initial examination of the recorders took place in South Korea, but upon discovering the missing data, they were sent to the United States for further analysis by American aviation safety experts. The aircraft was returning from Bangkok when it struck the runway at Muan International Airport without deployable landing gear, subsequently veering off and colliding with a wall before igniting.

Sim Jai-dong, a former investigator in the transport ministry, expressed astonishment at the loss of data during such a crucial timeframe, suggesting that the power supply, including backup systems, may have been compromised. As the investigation unfolds, numerous unanswered questions remain, including the potential impact of bird strikes or adverse weather conditions on the aircraft, as well as the reasons behind the malfunctioning landing gear prior to landing. The families of the victims continue to seek answers, amid rising frustrations surrounding the delay in recovering their loved ones' remains.