The tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 on December 29, 2024, marked South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster in nearly three decades. The Boeing 737-800, traveling from Bangkok to Muan International Airport, crashed on the runway, resulting in a massive explosion that killed 179 people onboard, with only two survivors. Now, investigators are facing a troubling revelation: the flight’s black boxes, which are crucial for understanding the events leading up to the disaster, stopped recording data just minutes before the crash.
The Significance of Black Boxes in Aviation Investigations
Black boxes, which include the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR), are pivotal tools in understanding aviation accidents. The CVR records the voices of the pilots and the sounds in the cockpit, while the FDR logs technical details about the flight, such as speed, altitude, and mechanical systems. Investigators rely on the data from these devices to reconstruct the moments before a crash and identify potential causes.
However, in this case, both black boxes ceased recording data about four minutes before the aircraft collided with a concrete embankment on the runway. This missing data has raised questions and added a layer of complexity to the investigation, leaving authorities and experts scrambling to determine why the devices failed at such a critical moment.
Black boxes containing flight data and cockpit voice recorders from crashed Jeju Air flight that killed 179 people stopped recording four minutes before the plane crashed – South Korea's transport ministry. pic.twitter.com/QQuJy2TeO8
— MP (@Mp220Mp) January 11, 2025Details of the Crash
Flight 7C2216 was approaching Muan International Airport after departing from Bangkok, Thailand. The aircraft was attempting to land when the pilots reported a bird strike, an event that could have caused damage to the plane’s systems. As a result, the pilots declared an emergency and attempted a go-around, a maneuver designed to allow the aircraft to circle back and try another landing.
However, the situation quickly worsened. The plane did not complete the go-around as expected. Instead, it made a sharp turn, approaching the runway from the opposite direction and attempting to land without deploying the landing gear. The aircraft belly-landed and crashed into a concrete embankment at the end of the runway, igniting a fireball that consumed the plane. Tragically, the crash resulted in the deaths of 179 people, including passengers and crew, leaving just two survivors in the tail section of the plane.
What Happened to the Black Boxes?
The flight recorders were recovered from the wreckage shortly after the crash, and investigators immediately began analyzing the data. However, the South Korean transport ministry revealed that both the CVR and FDR stopped recording about four minutes before the plane hit the embankment. Authorities have not yet determined why the devices ceased functioning, but they are focused on uncovering the cause. Initial analysis found that the flight data recorder was damaged, missing a connector, and could not be fully analyzed in South Korea. As a result, it was sent to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for further investigation.
The cockpit voice recorder was analyzed locally in South Korea, but when investigators discovered missing data, it was also sent to the NTSB for additional scrutiny. Investigators are hoping that a detailed examination of the data from the U.S. lab will shed light on the events leading to the crash, especially given that critical moments of the flight are unaccounted for.
The Role of the Embankment and Airport Design
One significant aspect of the crash is the concrete embankment that the plane struck upon landing. The embankment was part of the airport’s localiser system, which helps guide aircraft to the runway. Aviation experts have questioned why such a rigid structure was located so close to the end of the runway, especially considering the plane’s inability to land properly. The positioning of this embankment and its role in exacerbating the severity of the crash are being closely examined as part of the investigation.
Authorities are also investigating whether the design of Muan International Airport contributed to the disaster. Some experts argue that the embankment was a dangerous obstacle that should not have been situated in such proximity to the runway. Additionally, the decision to use a concrete structure instead of a more flexible material has raised concerns about safety standards at the airport.
Family Reactions and Calls for Transparency
As the investigation unfolds, there has been considerable frustration and concern from the families of the victims. Many have expressed dissatisfaction with the role of the South Korean transport ministry in leading the investigation. Some family members have called for the inclusion of independent experts, including those they have personally recommended, to ensure that the investigation remains impartial and transparent.
The transport ministry has assured the public that it is committed to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation, emphasizing that it will use all available data, including eyewitness accounts, flight simulator data, and technical analysis, to determine the cause of the crash. The ministry has also promised to keep the families of the victims informed and involved throughout the process.
What’s Next for the Investigation?
While it is still too early to determine the exact cause of the crash, investigators are focusing on several potential factors. The missing data from the final moments of the flight remains a key challenge, but authorities are confident that they will be able to piece together the events leading up to the crash through other available evidence. The analysis of the damaged flight data recorder in the U.S. will be a crucial step in this process.
In addition to the black box data, the investigation will continue to explore the role of the bird strike, the go-around maneuver, the decision-making of the pilots, and the design of Muan International Airport. The fact that the plane belly-landed without landing gear and struck an embankment at high speed suggests that a series of factors contributed to the disaster.
Ultimately, the investigation could take months, but the hope is that it will provide answers not only to the families of the victims but also to the aviation community, which seeks to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
A Long Road Ahead
The crash of Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 has left an indelible mark on South Korea’s aviation history. As investigators work to unravel the causes of the disaster, the missing data from the black boxes looms large as a critical element in understanding what went wrong. With the ongoing examination of the flight recorders, the role of the embankment, and the airport’s design, the investigation will continue to unfold over the coming months. While the immediate answers may not be clear, the commitment to transparency and thorough analysis remains a top priority as the search for answers continues.
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