Jeju Air Tragedy: Black Box Reveal Final Moments of Flight 2216, What Went Wrong?

In a devastating aviation disaster, a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed on Sunday, killing 179 people and leaving only two survivors. The flight, carrying 181 individuals from Thailand to South Korea, issued a mayday call before belly-landing, hitting a concrete barrier, and bursting into flames. Among the survivors were two flight attendants pulled from the burning wreckage. The accident marks the deadliest aviation incident on South Korean soil.

Black Box Analysis Underway

Both black boxes from the aircraft have been recovered, offering critical data for investigators. According to Joo Jong-wan, deputy minister for civil aviation, the initial data extraction from the cockpit voice recorder has been completed and is being converted into audio format for analysis of the pilots’ final communications. The flight data recorder was retrieved with a missing connector, and experts are assessing how to extract its information.

Preliminary findings initially pointed to a bird strike as the cause but have expanded to include the role of a concrete barrier at the end of the runway and potential mechanical failures. Reports suggest that the landing gear functioned during the first failed landing attempt but malfunctioned during the second.

Joint Probe with U.S. Experts

A collaborative investigation involving South Korean officials, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and Boeing is ongoing. The initial focus is on the localiser, a navigation system installed on the concrete structure blamed for intensifying the crash’s impact. A detailed analysis of the aircraft’s structure and black box data is expected to shed light on the final moments of the flight.

Victim Identification Completed

Grieving families expressed frustration over delays in identifying the victims due to the extensive damage caused by the crash. Acting President Choi Sang-mok announced Wednesday that all 179 victims have been identified, allowing families to proceed with funerals. Memorial altars have been set up nationwide, including in Seoul and at Muan airport, to honour the deceased.

A Comprehensive Investigation Ahead

The joint investigation aims to uncover the root cause of the crash through a detailed review of evidence, testimonies, and the aircraft’s structural integrity. With the majority of passengers being South Korean nationals returning from Bangkok year-end holidays, the tragedy has left the nation in mourning. A fuller account of the incident is anticipated once the black box data analysis is complete.