Black boxes stopped recording four minutes before crash

The missing data from Jeju Air's Boeing 737-800 black box raises questions about the plane's final moments, as investigators work to uncover the cause of the crash and the unexpected power failure. Photo: in Nature, Wikipedia CC BY 2.0

The latest developments in aviation safety have brought attention to the discovery that black boxes from a recent Jeju Air crash in South Korea stopped recording just four minutes before the aircraft's tragic impact.

On December 29, 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, tragically crashed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, resulting in the deaths of 179 individuals—175 passengers and 4 crew members. The aircraft had departed from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, en route to Muan International Airport.

Bird Strike: During its initial approach to Muan International Airport, the aircraft encountered a bird strike, leading to a mayday alert and necessitating a go-around.

The aircraft, attempting an emergency landing, overran the runway and collided with a concrete structure, leading to a catastrophic fire.

Black box data interruption

A critical aspect of the investigation is the discovery that the flight data and cockpit voice recorders ceased recording approximately four minutes before the crash. This gap presents a significant challenge for investigators seeking to reconstruct the events leading up to the disaster.

Just two minutes before the pilots issued a Mayday call, air traffic control warned of bird activity in the area.

Sim Jai-dong, a former investigator with the transport ministry, remarked that the missing data from the final moments of the Boeing 737-800’s flight was unexpected. He suggested that the power, including backup systems, may have been completely cut off—an unusual occurrence.

Preliminary findings

Initial assessments suggest that a bird strike may have caused a malfunction in the landing gear, prompting the emergency landing attempt. The aircraft reportedly landed without deploying its landing gear, leading to the fatal crash.

Investigation and international ollaboration

Associated Press reports that The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport is leading the investigation, with assistance from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The damaged black boxes have been sent to the NTSB for detailed analysis to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Safety concerns and future measures

This incident marks Jeju Air's first fatal accident since its establishment in 2005. South Korea plans to conduct inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft to ensure safety standards are met.

The investigation continues, and authorities are committed to uncovering the full circumstances of this tragic event to enhance aviation safety measures.