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South Korea Probes Jeju Air Crash, 179 Dead, Boeing 737-800 Cockpit Transcript Near Completion

Jan 4, 2025, 08:43 AM

South Korean investigators are finalizing the transcript of the cockpit voice recorder from the Jeju Air flight 2216 crash, which occurred on December 31, 2024, at Muan International Airport. The Boeing 737-800, carrying 181 passengers and crew from Thailand to South Korea, belly-landed and collided with a concrete barrier, resulting in 179 fatalities. The cockpit voice recorder may provide critical insights into the crash's final moments. The pilot had warned of a bird strike before the crash. Investigators, including South Korean and U.S. officials, are examining potential causes such as a bird strike, faulty landing gear, and the runway barrier. Dramatic video footage showed the plane colliding with the barrier before bursting into flames. The flight data recorder is being prepared for analysis in the United States. Authorities have recovered one engine and are working to retrieve the other, along with inspecting the aircraft's tail and landing gear. Jeju Air's CEO, Kim E-bae, has been barred from leaving the country as investigations continue. Authorities have also started returning victims' belongings to their families. Special inspections of Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by South Korean airlines are underway, with immediate corrective measures planned if issues are identified.