Black boxes from Jeju Air 2216 stopped recording four minutes before crash

Investigators have revealed that the flight recorders from the Jeju Air passenger jet that crashed in South Korea on December 29, 2024, stopped recording approximately four minutes before the aircraft belly-landed at Muan International Airport, resulting in a fireball and the deaths of 179 individuals. The cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) ceased functioning just before the disaster, leaving officials uncertain about the reasons for the failure. The South Korean transport ministry emphasized the importance of these devices for accident investigations but noted that they will rely on various data sources to determine the cause of the crash. The damaged FDR has been sent to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board for further analysis, as local authorities were unable to extract data from it. The crash is the deadliest aviation incident in South Korea since 1997, and the investigation is expected to take several months. Preliminary reports indicated that the pilot made a mayday call referencing a "bird strike" and that the control tower had warned of birds in the vicinity. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the proximity of a concrete embankment to the runway, which may have contributed to the accident. South Korean police have also conducted raids on Jeju Air's office and the airport operator as part of the ongoing investigation.

- The Jeju Air crash resulted in 179 fatalities, making it South Korea's deadliest aviation accident in nearly three decades.

- The flight recorders stopped functioning four minutes before the crash, complicating the investigation.

- The investigation will take months, with data analysis from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

- Preliminary findings suggest a possible bird strike and issues with runway safety features.

- Police have raided Jeju Air's office as part of the investigation into the crash.