Missing Data from South Korea Plane Crash Raises Concerns

The flight data and cockpit voice recorders from the tragic crash of Jeju Air last month, which resulted in the loss of 179 lives, reportedly stopped recording just four minutes prior to the accident, according to South Korea's transport ministry. This incident, marking the deadliest aviation disaster in Korean history, had only two survivors among the crew members. Investigators had initially anticipated that the recorder data would shed light on vital moments leading up to the catastrophic event.The ministry revealed that an inquiry is underway to determine the cause behind the premature shutdown of the "black boxes." Following their review in South Korea, the recorders were sent to the United States for further examination by American aviation safety officials once it became apparent the data was missing. The tragic incident occurred on December 29, when the aircraft, arriving from Bangkok, struck the runway at Muan International Airport without deploying its landing gear before sliding into a wall, resulting in a severe fire.Sim Jai-dong, a former investigator for the transport ministry, commented on the alarming nature of the data loss, suggesting that it may indicate a total power failure, including backup systems. Investigators are now examining various aspects, such as the potential impact of bird strikes or adverse weather conditions on the flight's operations. Furthermore, questions linger regarding why the Boeing 737-800's landing gear was not extended during landing and what implications this has for pre-flight safety checks.As families mourn and await the retrieval of loved ones' remains, emotions run high amidst the ongoing investigation into the South Korean air tragedy.