Tracking the final moments of Jeju Air flight 7C2216: Investigators analyse flight data following the deadly crash at Muan International Airport
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What happened in those missing minutes? Black box failure deepens plane crash mystery
The investigation into the tragic South Korean plane crash that claimed 179 lives last month has taken a puzzling turn. viraltrendingcontent reports on the latest developments, revealing that the aircraft’s crucial flight recorders stopped working just minutes before the disaster.
Black box malfunction leaves fatal plane crash unanswered
Hopes were high that the so-called ‘black boxes’ – the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) – would shed light on the circumstances surrounding the Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 crash at Muan International Airport on December 29th. Sadly, South Korea’s transport ministry has announced that both devices ceased recording approximately four minutes before the Boeing 737-800 belly-landed and erupted in flames. This unexpected development has further complicated the investigation into the country’s deadliest aviation accident in nearly three decades.
Investigation Ongoing: Why did the black boxes stop recording?
The ministry has stated that the reason for the recorders’ failure remains unclear and is now a key part of the ongoing investigation. While acknowledging the importance of CVR and FDR data, the ministry emphasised that the investigation will continue by analysing other available information to determine the cause of the crash. The CVR has been analysed both locally and in the United States, while the damaged FDR, missing a connector, has been sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the US for further analysis after South Korean authorities were unable to extract the data.
Bird strike, Go-around, and embankment: Key factors under Investigation
While the black box failure is a significant setback, investigators are also considering other potential factors. Prior to the crash landing, the pilot had issued a mayday call, mentioning a “bird strike” and a “go-around”, and the control tower had warned the pilot about birds in the area. This raises the possibility of a bird strike playing a role in the incident. Another point of contention is the presence of a concrete embankment close to the runway, a feature not commonly found at other airports, according to aviation experts. South Korean police have also conducted raids on Jeju Air’s Seoul office and the operator of Muan International Airport as part of their investigation. The crash, the deadliest in South Korea since 1997, is expected to take months to fully investigate.
