Investigators in South Korea are facing a critical setback in determining the cause of the Jeju Air crash that occurred on December 29, 2024, at Muan International Airport. According to the South Korean transport ministry, both black boxes aboard the Boeing 737-800 jet stopped recording approximately four minutes before the crash, leaving the final moments of the ill-fated flight shrouded in mystery.
The crash, which involved Jeju Air Flight 7C2216 from Bangkok to Muan, resulted in the tragic loss of 179 lives, making it one of the worst aviation disasters in South Korean history. Only two individuals—crew members seated in the tail section—survived the incident.
Missing Black Box Data Raises Questions
The aircraft’s flight data and cockpit voice recorders are considered critical to understanding what caused the crash. However, their failure to record during the crucial final minutes has surprised experts. Sim Jai-dong, a former transport ministry accident investigator, noted that such a complete power failure, which would also disable backup systems, is an exceedingly rare occurrence.
The transport ministry stated that it is investigating why the black boxes stopped recording and has sent the cockpit voice recorder to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for additional analysis. The missing data has heightened concerns about the reliability of the aircraft’s systems during emergencies.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Crash
The crash occurred shortly after the pilot reported a bird strike and issued a Mayday emergency call. Two minutes prior to the distress signal, air traffic controllers had warned the crew about increased bird activity near the airport. Despite the warning, the aircraft belly-landed on the runway, overshot it, and collided with an embankment. The collision caused the plane to explode into flames, leaving devastation in its wake.
The embankment, designed to support a “localizer” system used for aircraft landings, has become a focal point of the investigation. Its rigid construction and proximity to the runway’s end have raised questions about its design and whether it contributed to the severity of the crash.
Transparency and Calls for Independent Oversight
The South Korean transport ministry assured the public that the investigation would remain transparent and that it would share findings with the victims’ families. However, some family members have criticized the ministry’s involvement, calling for independent experts, including those recommended by the families, to lead the investigation.
The discovery of the missing black box data has also amplified calls for a thorough and impartial probe to ensure all potential factors, such as the embankment’s design and the bird strike, are fully investigated.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Authorities plan to use all available data, including radar, air traffic control communications, and other aircraft systems, to piece together what happened during the flight’s final moments. The transport ministry has emphasized its commitment to uncovering the truth and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
↔ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
→ 
