Sat Jan 11 07:54:32 UTC 2025: ## Data Loss Hinders Investigation into South Korea’s Deadliest Air Crash
**Seoul, South Korea** – The investigation into South Korea’s worst-ever aviation disaster is facing a major setback after it was revealed that crucial data from the flight recorders of the crashed Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 was lost in the four minutes leading up to the impact. The December 29th crash at Muan International Airport killed 179 of the 181 people on board.
The South Korean transport ministry announced Saturday that both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR) stopped recording four minutes before the plane belly-landed and exploded after striking a runway barrier. The recorders were sent to a US National Transportation Safety Board laboratory after initial analysis in South Korea revealed the missing data.
The ministry is now investigating the cause of this data loss, a development described as “surprising” by former transport ministry investigator Sim Jai-dong, who speculated that a complete power failure, including backup systems, may have occurred—a rare event.
While investigators are determined to uncover the cause of the crash, the missing data significantly complicates their efforts. Possible contributing factors under investigation include a bird strike reported by the pilot, faulty landing gear, and the controversial runway barrier itself. Feathers were found in one of the plane’s engines, but investigators caution that a bird strike doesn’t automatically lead to engine failure. The plane’s unusual approach—a sharp turn and landing from the opposite end of the runway with the landing gear retracted—remains a key area of focus.
The investigation has widened to include raids on Muan airport offices, a regional aviation office, and Jeju Air’s Seoul headquarters. Jeju Air’s CEO has been barred from leaving the country. Transport Minister Park Sang-woo resigned earlier this week, taking responsibility for the tragedy. The investigation continues.
First Piper 