According to South Korea’s transport ministry, authorities have completed the data extraction from one of the black boxes of the ill-fated Jeju Air flight that went down on Sunday.
The cockpit voice recorder’s data is set to be transformed into an audio file, while a second black box, the flight data recorder, is scheduled for analysis in the United States.
Authorities are optimistic that information retrieved from the flight and voice recorders will illuminate the critical moments preceding the disaster.
A tragic incident occurred when a plane collided with a structure and subsequently exploded, resulting in the deaths of 179 individuals. This event marks the deadliest plane crash in South Korean history.
Authorities have determined that local efforts to decode the flight data recorder are impractical, as the device sustained damage in the crash and lacks a vital connector.
Experts from South Korea are set to participate in the analysis process in the United States. They have indicated that discussions are ongoing with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the timeline for transferring the flight data recorder.
Officials from the NTSB have been dispatched to the crash site in Muan County, South Korea, to assist in investigating the cause of the plane crash.
A Boeing 737-800, en route from Bangkok, crash-landed at Muan International Airport on Sunday. The aircraft slid into a wall at the end of the runway, igniting a fire that resulted in the tragic deaths of all passengers except for two crew members who survived.
Numerous questions persist as investigators examine the potential impact of a bird strike or adverse weather conditions.
Investigators are currently scrutinizing the concrete wall at the end of the runway, with some experts suggesting that it may have intensified the crash’s impact.
According to Yonhap news agency, the age range of passengers aboard flight 7C2216 spanned from three to 78 years, with the majority falling within the 40s, 50s, and 60s age brackets. Authorities have reported that two Thai nationals are among the deceased, while the remaining victims are believed to be South Korean.
Officials faced a challenging task over several days to identify the bodies, relying on fingerprints and DNA analysis. Saliva samples were collected from family members to aid in the process, as many remains had suffered significant damage.
On Wednesday, acting president Choi Sang-mok confirmed that all 179 flight victims were identified.
In a significant response to recent tragic events, New Year’s Day celebrations nationwide have been either canceled or significantly reduced, honoring the victims and their families. Authorities have declared seven days of national mourning to reflect this somber sentiment.
During a press conference held on Tuesday, Jeju Air CEO Kim Yi-bae announced that the airline is arranging emergency compensation for the victims’ families and will also take responsibility for covering funeral expenses.
The pre-flight inspection of the plane reportedly revealed “no issues,” according to his statement. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
