Damaged Black Box From South Korean Plane Crash Sent To U.S. For Analysis

 The damaged flight data recorder from the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, which crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, will be sent to the United States for analysis, the South Korean Ministry of Transport announced Wednesday. This move comes as grieving families begin visiting the crash site to pay their respects.

A Devastating Tragedy

The crash, which occurred on Sunday, claimed the lives of 179 out of 181 passengers and crew, marking South Korea's deadliest aviation disaster in nearly 30 years. The Jeju Air flight 7C 2216 was en route from Bangkok to Muan when it made an emergency belly landing, resulting in catastrophic damage.

The flight data recorder, one of the plane’s two critical "black boxes," was retrieved but found to be damaged, including a missing connector. South Korean officials determined they lacked the capability to extract the necessary data and decided to involve the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The NTSB will lead the analysis, joined by South Korean investigators. The timeline for completing the data recovery remains uncertain.

Progress with the Cockpit Voice Recorder

Meanwhile, South Korean investigators have extracted preliminary data from the cockpit voice recorder, the second black box. The process of converting the audio into usable voice files is underway and is expected to take two days. Data from both black boxes will be crucial in uncovering the cause of the crash.

South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, stated that the investigation would include a comprehensive review of the aircraft, its fuselage, and the recovered black boxes.

Mourning and Memorials

Authorities have identified all 179 victims of the crash, though only 11 bodies have been released to families for funeral arrangements. Since the incident, grieving relatives have gathered at Muan Airport, where an altar has been set up for prayers and tributes. On Wednesday, buses transported groups of family members to the crash site to honor their loved ones.

The Crash and Investigation

The cause of the crash remains unclear, and the investigation is expected to take months. Initial reports indicate that the pilot issued a mayday call and reported a bird strike before attempting the emergency landing.

Footage of the crash, broadcast by South Korean media, showed the plane sliding at high speed on its belly without visible landing gear, colliding with an earthen embankment, and erupting into flames. Possible factors being considered include the bird strike, landing gear failure, and a concrete barrier at the end of the runway.

A joint investigation team consisting of 12 South Korean and 10 U.S. experts, including officials from the Federal Aviation Administration, NTSB, and Boeing, is examining the incident.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities hope that the black boxes and a detailed examination of the wreckage will provide answers to the questions surrounding this devastating tragedy.