Aviation Safety

Investigators extract voice data from fatal Jeju Air crash; flight recorder heads to NTSB

South Korean authorities confirm 179 victims identified as investigation into country's deadliest aviation disaster continues

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Authorities retrieve the engine of the ill-fated Jeju Air Boeing 737 in Muan, South Korea. (Photo: Yonhap)

Investigators have successfully extracted data from the cockpit voice recorder of the Jeju Air flight that crashed Sunday at Muan International Airport, while recovery efforts continue at the crash site, South Korea’s transport ministry announced, according to a report from Yonhap news agency.

The Boeing 737-800, operating as flight 7C-2216 from Bangkok, crashed during landing and collided with a concrete wall off the runway’s end, resulting in 179 fatalities. Only two crew members survived the incident, making it South Korea’s deadliest aviation disaster, according to official statements.

The investigation reached two significant milestones Friday, with the aircraft’s engine being recovered and transported to a secure facility for analysis, the Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) reported.

Officials temporarily suspended recovery operations after discovering blood traces in the fuselage, which are undergoing forensic analysis to determine if they resulted from a possible bird strike.

The flight data recorder (FDR), which sustained damage and lacks a crucial connector, will be transferred to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board in Washington for specialized analysis. South Korean experts will participate in the U.S.-based investigation, with discussions ongoing regarding the timing of the handover, officials said.

Acting President Choi Sang-mok confirmed Wednesday that authorities have identified all 179 victims, aged between three and 78 years old, through fingerprint and DNA analysis. The majority of passengers were South Korean nationals, with two Thai citizens among the deceased, according to official sources.

Jeju Air CEO Kim Yi-bae announced Tuesday that the airline is arranging emergency compensation for victims’ families and will cover funeral expenses. He stated that pre-flight inspections had revealed “no issues” with the aircraft.

Investigators are now examining multiple factors, including the possibility of a bird strike, weather conditions, and the runway’s concrete wall structure, which some experts suggest may have intensified the crash impact.

In response to the tragedy, South Korea has declared a seven-day period of national mourning, with New Year’s celebrations either cancelled or scaled down across the country.

Written by
Dirk Andrei Salcedo

Dirk is the founder and editor-in-chief of Aviation Updates Philippines (AUP), a platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights on the aviation industry in the Philippines. With a strong passion for aviation and a background in computer engineering, he manages all aspects of AUP, from website development to content curation.

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