Investigators are checking Jeju Air crash A South Korean company that killed 179 people announced Wednesday that one of the black boxes found will be sent to the United States for analysis.
South Korea is grappling with its worst aviation disaster as investigators look into the Jeju Air crash that killed 179 people. this Boeing 737-800A plane carrying 181 passengers from Bangkok to Muan Airport sent out a distress call before landing on its belly, collided with a concrete barrier and caught fire.
Authorities have recovered two black boxes, but the flight data recorders were too damaged for analysis in South Korea, AFP reported. Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation Joo Jong-wan confirmed that the aircraft will be sent to the United States for inspection in cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Initial data from the cockpit voice recorder has been extracted and will soon provide insights into the pilot’s final moments.
Preliminary findings point to landing gear failure and a possible bird strike, but the role of the navigation system is also under scrutiny. A crash could be exacerbated by navigational equipment mounted on the concrete obstacle the aircraft struck. According to AFP, investigators, including Boeing representatives, are inspecting other Boeing 737-800 models operating locally to identify potential mechanical issues.
Acting President Choi Sang-mok assured the public that investigators are conducting a thorough investigation. “We will find out the reason through detailed analysis of the black box and aircraft structure,” he said.
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