South Korean Investigators Near Completion of Cockpit Transcript in Fatal Jeju Air Crash

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

South Korean investigators announced Saturday that they are close to completing the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) transcript from Jeju Air flight 2216, which crashed last week, claiming 179 lives.

The CVR is expected to shed light on the final moments of the ill-fated Boeing 737-800, which was carrying 181 passengers and crew from Thailand to South Korea. The aircraft crash-landed and collided with a concrete barrier at the end of the runway at Muan International Airport.

Progress in the Investigation

South Korean and U.S. investigators, including experts from Boeing, have been closely examining the crash site in Muan. The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport confirmed that the CVR transcript is nearing completion. Meanwhile, the flight data recorder (FDR) is being prepared for transport to the United States for further analysis.

Officials also reported the recovery of the aircraft’s engine, a critical piece of evidence in understanding the crash.

Potential Causes Under Review

While the exact cause remains unclear, investigators are examining several possibilities, including:

• A bird strike
• Malfunctioning landing gear
• The runway barrier

According to authorities, the pilot reported a bird strike during the initial landing attempt. The crash occurred during a second landing attempt when the landing gear reportedly failed to deploy. Video footage captured the dramatic collision with the concrete barrier, followed by a fiery explosion.

Search and Investigations Intensify

Authorities conducted search-and-seizure operations at Muan International Airport, a regional aviation office, and Jeju Air’s headquarters in Seoul. Jeju Air’s CEO, Kim E-bae, has been barred from leaving the country as part of the ongoing investigation.

Recovery and Support Efforts

Efforts are underway to retrieve the wreckage, return the remains of victims, and recover personal belongings to provide closure for grieving families.

The tragedy has drawn international attention, with investigators determined to uncover the series of events that led to the crash and implement measures to prevent similar disasters in the future.