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Investigators have successfully extracted data from the cockpit voice recorder of the Jeju Air plane that tragically crashed on Sunday, South Korea’s Ministry of Transport announced. The extracted data will now be converted into an audio file for analysis.
However, authorities noted challenges with the second black box, the flight data recorder, which is missing a critical component. Efforts are underway to decode the available data, and officials hope the black boxes will shed light on the crucial moments leading up to the disaster.
The crash, which claimed the lives of 179 people, is the deadliest aviation tragedy on South Korean soil. The Boeing 737-800 was en route from Bangkok when it crash-landed at Muan International Airport, skidding into a structure and erupting into flames. Only two crew members survived.
Deputy Minister for Civil Aviation Joo Jong-wan stated that discussions are ongoing regarding the best method to retrieve and analyze data from the damaged flight data recorder. Meanwhile, officials from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have joined South Korean authorities in the investigation.
Potential causes under review include a bird strike and adverse weather conditions, though many questions remain unanswered.
The passengers of flight 7C2216 ranged in age from three to 78, with most in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, according to Yonhap News Agency. Among the victims were two Thai nationals, while the rest were believed to be South Korean.
The identification process took days, as many bodies were severely damaged. Using fingerprints and DNA samples from relatives, authorities confirmed that all 179 victims have now been identified.
In light of the tragedy, New Year’s Day celebrations across South Korea have been scaled back or canceled. A seven-day period of national mourning has been declared to honor the victims.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Jeju Air CEO Kim Yi-bae expressed condolences and announced plans to provide emergency compensation for the victims’ families, including covering funeral expenses. He also stated that a pre-flight inspection of the aircraft found no mechanical issues. Investigations into the exact cause of the crash are ongoing.