Critical findings from the investigation into the recent Jeju Air plane crash in South Korea reveal that the aircraft's black boxes, responsible for recording vital data, stopped functioning approximately four minutes prior to the disaster. The crash on December 29 involved Jeju Air Flight 7C 2216, a Boeing 737-800 that was carrying 181 passengers and crew from Thailand to Muan International Airport. Tragically, 179 people lost their lives, making this incident the worst aviation disaster in South Korean history.

The South Korean transport ministry reported that both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) ceased recording moments before the plane belly-landed and subsequently exploded after colliding with a concrete barrier. This lack of data is particularly concerning as investigators had hoped that these devices would provide crucial insights into the cause of the accident—one of the deadliest since 1997 when a Korean Air plane crashed in Guam.

The investigation is underway, with authorities stating that it will focus on understanding why the recording devices failed shortly before the incident. Following the analysis, which indicated that alarms related to the aircraft’s landing gear may have played a role, a statement from the ministry emphasized, “Plans are in place to investigate the cause of the data loss during the ongoing accident investigation.” Furthermore, reports have indicated that feathers were discovered inside one of the engines, hinting at a potential bird strike that the pilot warned about before attempting a go-around.

Details regarding the crash have emerged, including that the aircraft did not deploy its landing gear before landing—a point of contention for investigators who are also examining the impact of the runway's proximity to the concrete embankment that contributed to the severity of the crash. Meanwhile, South Korean police have initiated raids at the offices of Jeju Air and the airport in question as part of their inquiry. Additionally, the airline's chief executive has been barred from leaving the country.

This catastrophe has prompted national mourning, with public memorials established across South Korea, while the transport minister, Park Sang-woo, has offered his resignation, stating he feels a profound sense of responsibility for the tragic loss of life. The investigation is poised to continue with cooperation from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

For more information on the incident, you can view the detailed reports by Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and CNN.