Investigators have successfully retrieved data from the cockpit voice recorder of the Jeju Air plane that tragically crashed on Sunday, South Korea’s transport ministry announced. The next step involves converting this data into an audio file, while the damaged flight data recorder is set to be sent to the United States for detailed analysis.
As per the reports of Leaders team, the devastating crash claimed the lives of 179 people, making it the deadliest plane accident on South Korean soil. The Boeing 737-800, traveling from Bangkok, crash-landed at Muan International Airport before sliding into a concrete wall, exploding into flames, and leaving only two crew members alive.
Black Box Analysis Underway
While the cockpit voice recorder is being examined locally, the flight data recorder’s damage, including a missing connector, necessitates analysis abroad. South Korean investigators will collaborate with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for the process. NTSB officials are also present at the crash site in Muan County to assist with investigations.
Probing the Causes
According to the sources of Leaders team, the investigation is exploring various potential factors behind the crash, including the possibility of a bird strike, adverse weather conditions, and the role of the concrete wall at the end of the runway, which may have worsened the impact.
The ill-fated flight 7C2216 carried passengers aged between three and 78, with most victims in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Among the dead were two Thai nationals, while the rest were believed to be South Korean.
Challenges in Identification
The recovery and identification process proved arduous due to the extent of the damage to the victims’ remains. Authorities used fingerprints and DNA, including saliva samples from families, to confirm identities. By Wednesday, all 179 victims had been identified, according to acting president Choi Sang-mok.
National Mourning
In response to the tragedy, South Korea has entered a seven-day period of national mourning. New Year’s Day celebrations across the country have been canceled or significantly scaled back as a mark of respect for the victims and their families.
Jeju Air’s Response
At a press conference, Jeju Air CEO Kim Yi-bae expressed condolences and announced emergency compensation for the victims’ families, including coverage of funeral costs. He stated that a pre-flight inspection revealed “no issues” with the plane, though investigations into the cause of the crash remain ongoing.
This heartbreaking incident has left a nation grieving and searching for answers, as investigators work tirelessly to uncover the events leading up to the catastrophic crash.
