Investigators looking into South Korea’s worst aviation disaster in nearly 30 years have uncovered a troubling mystery: the flight recorders of the ill-fated Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216 stopped working just minutes before the aircraft crash-landed and burst into flames.
What Happened on December 29?
Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216 was on its way from Bangkok to Muan International Airport when it made an emergency belly landing, erupting into a massive fireball.
The accident claimed the lives of 179 passengers and crew, with only two survivors. The tragedy has left investigators scrambling for answers, but a major setback has emerged—the aircraft’s black boxes ceased recording just four minutes before the crash.
Black Boxes Stop Working: A Critical Setback
South Korea’s transport ministry confirmed on Saturday that both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) inexplicably stopped capturing data moments before impact. These devices are crucial for understanding the final moments of the flight, but their sudden failure raises more questions than answers.
While officials have not determined why the recorders stopped functioning, they assured the public that the investigation will continue using other available data.
“CVR and FDR data are important for accident investigations, but we will analyze various sources to identify the exact cause of the crash,” the ministry stated.
Investigators Turn to the U.S. for Help
The damaged flight data recorder, which was missing a key connector, was sent to the United States for further analysis. Local experts had been unable to retrieve any information from it. The cockpit voice recorder was also reviewed in South Korea before being sent to U.S. authorities for verification.
What Caused the Crash? Possible Clues Emerge
Although the black boxes failed to provide immediate insights, investigators are piecing together the moments leading up to the crash:
- Pilot’s Mayday Call: The captain issued an emergency distress signal, using the terms “bird strike” and “go-around.” This suggests that the aircraft may have collided with birds, forcing an aborted landing attempt.
- Bird Warnings from Air Traffic Control: Officials confirmed that the control tower had warned the pilot about bird activity near the runway.
- Unusual Crash Footage: Video footage showed that neither the front nor back landing gear was deployed at the time of impact, raising speculation about possible landing gear failure.
- Impact with a Concrete Embankment: The plane struck a concrete barrier upon landing, a structure that aviation experts say is uncommon so close to runways in most airports.
Aviation Experts Weigh In
Some experts believe a bird strike could have severely damaged the aircraft, but the lack of recorded data makes it difficult to confirm. Others are questioning whether a mechanical failure, human error, or even external factors played a role.
The crash has eerie similarities to South Korea’s last major aviation disaster in 1997, when a Korean Air Boeing 747 crashed in Guam, killing 228 people.
Authorities Widen Their Investigation
South Korean police have launched an extensive probe into the disaster. Last week, authorities raided Jeju Air’s headquarters in Seoul and the operator of Muan International Airport. Investigators are looking into maintenance records, operational procedures, and airport infrastructure to determine if negligence played a role.
What Happens Next?
With the investigation expected to take months, families of the victims are demanding answers. The aviation industry is also watching closely, as the mystery surrounding the failed black boxes could have serious implications for flight safety worldwide.
Will investigators uncover the truth behind South Korea’s deadliest plane crash in decades? Or will this tragedy remain an unsolved aviation mystery?
