South Korea Plane Crash: Black Boxes Didn't Capture Last 4 Minutes, Officials Confirm

Black Box Data Failure in South Korea Plane Crash

The black boxes of a Boeing jetliner that crashed in South Korea stopped recording about four minutes before the accident, according to South Korean officials. This development may complicate investigations into the disaster that claimed 179 lives.

Investigation Findings

After examining the devices, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that both the flight data and cockpit voice recorders ceased functioning four minutes prior to the crash, as reported by the South Korean Transportation Ministry.

The Boeing 737-800 of Jeju Air skidded off a runway in Muan, South Korea, on Dec. 29 due to landing gear failure, resulting in a tragic collision with a concrete structure and subsequent fire that claimed all but two of the 181 passengers.

Improving Airport Safety Measures

South Korean officials have vowed to enhance airport safety protocols following the tragic incident. Experts have identified the localizer system at Muan airport, the structure struck by the aircraft during the crash, as a potential contributing factor to the high casualty count.

Localizer System Concerns

The localizer, critical for guiding aircraft during landings, was situated in a concrete structure covered with dirt on an elevated embankment. Questions have arisen regarding the construction material of the structure, with suggestions that lighter materials could have mitigated the impact.

Enhanced Safety Measures After Tragedy

South Korea's acting President, Choi Sang-mok, has mandated emergency safety inspections for all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by the country's airlines in response to the Jeju Air crash that resulted in significant passenger fatalities.

Call for Safety Inspections

Following the crash, which claimed numerous lives, Choi Sang-mok's directive underscores the importance of prioritizing safety inspections to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Conclusion

The investigation into the South Korea plane crash continues as authorities strive to determine the precise cause of the tragic event. With a focus on enhancing safety measures and scrutinizing critical systems, efforts are underway to prevent such devastating occurrences from happening again.