Investigation into cockpit recording of South Korean plane crash nears completion

(CLO) On January 4, South Korean investigators said they were about to complete the analysis of the cockpit voice recording related to the plane crash that killed 179 people last week.

The recording could be the key to deciphering the final moments of Jeju Air Flight 2216, which was carrying 181 passengers and crew from Thailand to South Korea. The plane belly-landed and hit a concrete barrier at the end of the airport runway, leading to the tragedy.

A South Korean and US investigation team, including experts from Boeing, has been working at the scene in Muan, South Jeolla Province, to look into the cause of the accident.

The scene of the Jeju Air plane crash that killed 179 people. Photo: X

The cockpit voice recorder is expected to be completed within the day, while the flight data recorder will be sent to the US for further analysis, according to the South Korean Land Ministry. The plane's engine has also been recovered from the scene.

The exact cause is still unknown, but investigators are looking at a number of factors including bird strikes, landing gear failure and the condition of runway barriers.

Authorities are also working to recover the plane's tail section. Authorities halted the process after blood was found inside the fuselage. Officials will determine through detailed forensic analysis whether the blood came from passengers or from animals such as birds.

According to police, the pilot warned of a bird strike risk on the first landing attempt before the plane suffered a landing gear failure on the second. Video footage from the scene shows the plane hitting a concrete barrier before bursting into flames.

The plane was carrying mostly South Korean tourists returning from a year-end trip to Bangkok, except for two Thai passengers. Authorities have handed over the bodies of the victims, who have been identified, to their families.

Ngoc Anh (according to Yonhap, AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/sap-hoan-tat-dieu-tra-ban-ghi-buong-lai-vu-tai-nan-may-bay-han-quoc-post328970.html