South Korea Plane Crash Investigation Complicated by Missing Data

A devastating crash involving a Jeju Air flight in South Korea has left 179 dead, with investigators now facing challenges due to missing data from the flight recorders, which ceased recording just minutes before the disaster.

Investigators are currently navigating a complex web of uncertainties following the tragic crash of a Jeju Air flight in South Korea, which resulted in the deaths of 179 people. The country’s transport ministry has reported that crucial flight data and cockpit voice recorders stopped capturing data just four minutes before the plane's crash-landing. This incident marks the deadliest air disaster in South Korea's history, with only two cabin crew members surviving the harrowing event.

The flight, which was traveling from Bangkok on December 29, met with disaster upon landing at Muan International Airport, veering off the runway and colliding with a wall before catching fire. Initial hopes that the black boxes would shed light on the critical moments leading up to the crash have been dashed. It has been confirmed that the recorders were first analyzed in South Korea before being sent to the U.S. for further examination after the missing data was discovered.

Sim Jai-dong, a former investigator from the transportation ministry, expressed surprise over the unexpected data loss, speculating that a complete power failure, including backup systems, may have occurred. Investigators are actively scrutinizing various factors, including potential bird strikes and adverse weather conditions, in their effort to piece together the events leading to the crash. Additionally, there is growing scrutiny about the aircraft's failure to deploy its landing gear at the time of touchdown, despite pre-flight checks indicating no issues. As affected families await answers, the investigation continues to unfold.