Investigators anticipate that data from the flight and voice recorders will offer valuable insights into the crash.Investigators have successfully extracted data from one of the black boxes recovered from the Jeju Air plane that tragically crashed on Sunday, according to South Korea's transport ministry.
The data from the cockpit voice recorder is now being converted into an audio file. However, authorities noted that retrieving data from the second black box, a flight data recorder, will take more time as it is missing a critical component.
Officials hope the information from both recorders will shed light on the crucial moments leading up to the disaster.
The crash claimed the lives of 179 people, making it the deadliest aviation accident on South Korean soil. The Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 was en route from Bangkok when it crash-landed at Muan International Airport, skidding into a structure and exploding. Only two crew members survived.
Deputy Minister for Civil Aviation Joo Jong-wan stated that investigators are consulting on the best methods to decode the flight data recorder, given its missing connector. Meanwhile, experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board have joined the investigation in Muan.
Authorities are exploring various factors that may have contributed to the crash, including the possibility of a bird strike or adverse weather conditions.
Passengers aboard flight 7C2216 ranged in age from three to 78 years old, with most in their 40s to 60s, according to Yonhap News Agency. Two Thai nationals were among the deceased, while the remaining victims were predominantly South Korean.
Due to the severity of the crash, identifying the victims has taken days, with officials relying on fingerprints, DNA, and saliva samples from relatives. By Wednesday, acting President Choi Sang-mok confirmed that all 179 victims had been identified.
In honor of the victims, South Korea has declared a seven-day national mourning period, with New Year’s celebrations either canceled or scaled down.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Jeju Air CEO Kim Yi-bae expressed condolences and announced plans for emergency compensation for victims’ families, including coverage of funeral expenses. He also noted that a pre-flight inspection of the plane revealed no issues.
Investigations into the cause of the crash remain ongoing.
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