• Black boxes from the Jeju Air crash failed to capture data during the last four minutes before the accident.
• The crash, which killed 179 people, occurred in Muan, South Korea, reportedly due to landing gear failure.
• South Korean officials plan to improve airport safety measures following the tragic incident.
• A preliminary examination by the NTSB confirmed the black boxes stopped recording before the crash occurred.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In an unfortunate revelation regarding the Jeju Air crash, officials confirmed that the black boxes of the Boeing 737-800 ceased recording approximately four minutes prior to the accident. This timing is detrimental to the ongoing investigation into the catastrophe that culminated in the deaths of 179 individuals. According to reports, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that both the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) had stopped functioning about four minutes before the aircraft crashed into a concrete structure.

The incident occurred on December 29 when the aircraft, en route to Muan, experienced a failure in its landing gear, resulting in its skidding off the runway and subsequently bursting into flames. Of the 181 people aboard, only two survived. Post-accident analyses revealed missing data on the black boxes, necessitating their transfer to the NTSB for further investigation.

“Data from the CVR and FDR are crucial in investigating accidents," stated the South Korean Transportation Ministry. "However, investigations will rely on a comprehensive examination of various sources." The ministry is committed to thoroughly determining the factors that led to the crash.

In their initial findings, Korean air traffic controllers had warned the pilot of potential bird strikes just two minutes before the aircraft issued a distress signal confirming such an event. Following this route deviation, the pilot attempted an emergency landing. Furthermore, experts have questioned the safety design of Muan Airport's localizer system—an aid for landing that was housed in a concrete structure, potentially contributing to the crash's high fatality rate. Officials have signaled initiatives to reassess and enhance airport safety protocols as a response to this tragic accident.