Muan, South Korea – an investigation into the tragic crash of Jeju Air Flight 341, which claimed 179 lives, faces significant hurdles after South Korea’s transport ministry revealed critical data was lost from the plane’s flight recorders. Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers and crew, crashed while attempting to land at Muan International Airport on December 29, making it the worst aviation disaster in South Korea’s history.
Flight from Thailand ended in a fiery explosion when the plane belly-landed and collided with a concrete barrier near the end of the runway. Ministry’s statement on Saturday confirmed that the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) ceased recording four minutes before the crash, leaving investigators without key information about the plane’s final moments.
Crucial Evidence Missing
recorders’ data loss has complicated efforts to determine what caused the disaster. Transport ministry acknowledged that both devices had failed to capture the critical period leading up to a collision with the localizer—a navigational aid near the runway that reportedly exacerbated the crash’s severity.
South Korean authorities deemed damaged FDR unrecoverable for local analysis and sent it to the United States for examination at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) laboratory. Despite this, data remains inaccessible, leaving investigators searching for alternative methods to assemble a sequence of events.
“Plans are in place to investigate the cause of data loss during the ongoing accident investigation,” the ministry stated, underscoring its commitment to uncovering the truth.
Potential Causes and Leads
Lead investigator Lee Seung-yeol revealed that “fears were found” in one of the plane’s recovered engines, suggesting a possible bird strike. However, Lee cautioned that bird strikes rarely cause immediate engine failure. The Pilot had reported a bird strike after aborting an initial landing attempt and later struggled to deploy landing gear during a second attempt.
Investigators are also examining where the localizer’s placement and the plane’s interaction with the runway contributed to the disaster. Additionally, y is probing maintenance protocols and operational decisions made by Jeju Air.
Public and Political Fallout
the crash has devastated communities across South Korea, prompting widespread mourning and the establishment of memorials to honor victims. Tragedy has also sparked intense scrutiny of the nation’s aviation safety standards.
Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation, including raids on Muan airport offices, a regional aviation office, and Jeju Air’s headquarters in Seoul. The airline’s chief executive has been barred from leaving the country, further signaling the gravity of the probe.
Transport Minister Park Sang-woo offered his resignation earlier this week, acknowledging his responsibility to ensure aviation safety. “As minister responsible for aviation safety, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility regarding this tragedy,” Park said in his resignation statement.
A Nation Demands Answers
Rival political parties have formed a joint task force to investigate the crash thoroughly, pledging to hold accountable any entities found negligent. Meanwhile, South Korean and U.S. authorities are collaborating to uncover technical and operational factors that led to catastrophe.
“investigation will be conducted through examination and analysis of various data. The committee is committed to doing its best to accurately determine the cause of the accident,” the transport ministry affirmed.
While the loss of flight recorder data is a significant setback, investigators are determined to use every available resource to resolve the mystery surrounding Jeju Air Flight 341. This determination reflects a broader demand for accountability and safety improvements in South Korea’s aviation industry, ensuring that such a tragedy never occurs again.
