Airliner's final 4 minutes of recordings are missing after crash that killed 179: investigators
Share and Follow


The first report on last month’s Jeju Air crash in South Korea confirmed the plane’s two black boxes stopped recording about four minutes prior to the crash that killed 179 people on board.

The preliminary accident report released by South Korea’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board on Monday said the flight data and cockpit voice recorders on the Boeing 737-800 had stopped working, confirming what the country’s Transportation Ministry initially said earlier this month. 

South Korean officials had sent the devices to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board for closer examination after discovering that some of the data was missing. It remained unclear why the devices stopped recording.

The report also found traces of bird strikes – feathers and bird blood stains – in both the plane’s engines, though officials have yet to determine what caused the crash.

“The samples were sent to specialized organizations for DNA analysis, and a domestic organization identified them as belonging to Baikal teals,” the report said, referring to a migratory duck.

Investigators earlier said that air traffic controllers warned the pilots about possible bird strikes two minutes before the aircraft issued a distress signal confirming that a bird strike had occurred, after which the pilots attempted an emergency landing.

The preliminary report said the pilots also noticed a group of birds while approaching the runway at the Muan airport and that a security camera had filmed the plane coming close to birds during an aborted landing.

The report said authorities will disassemble the engines, examine their components in depth, analyze the black box and air traffic control data, and investigate the embankment, localizer and bird strike evidence to ultimately determine the cause of the crash.

Officials said the report has been sent to the International Civil Aviation Organization, Thailand, the U.S. and France, adding that the aircraft was built in the U.S. and its engines in France.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
New ‘Star Trek’ Movie in the Works from ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Filmmakers Jonathan Goldstein & John Francis Daley

Filmmakers Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley to Helm New ‘Star Trek’ Movie

Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, known for their creative work on…
Argentina reveals secret WWII files on Hitler's henchmen who fled before, after the war

Unveiled: Argentina’s Secret WWII Files Expose Hidden Lives of Nazi Fugitives

Earlier this year, Argentine President Javier Milei unveiled a cache of over…
Top Ukrainian officials in Zelenskyy government submit resignations amid $100 million corruption scandal

Zelenskyy’s Cabinet Shakeup: Top Officials Resign Amidst $100M Corruption Scandal

Two high-ranking Ukrainian officials have stepped down in the wake of a…
Suspect steals Bedford Park police squad car, US Postal Service truck, hits mother, 2 children in Bridgeview, officials say

Illinois Woman Captures Disturbing Footage of Boyfriend’s Animal Abuse, Leading to Charges in McHenry County

In Huntley, Illinois, unsettling details have emerged in court regarding a case…
Former CBP officer sentenced to 15 years in prison for role in drug trafficking scheme at southern border

Ex-CBP Officer Receives 15-Year Sentence for Involvement in Southern Border Drug Trafficking Operation

A former officer with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has been…
Wrigley Field college football game: Zvada's 31-yard field goal as time expires lifts No. 18 Michigan over Northwestern 24-22

Zvada Secures Victory for No. 18 Michigan with Last-Second 31-Yard Field Goal, Defeating Northwestern 24-22 at Wrigley Field College Football Showdown

CHICAGO — In a thrilling finish at Wrigley Field, Dominic Zvada secured…
Jelly Roll battled severe isolation, illness away from family during Australia tour

Jelly Roll’s Australian Tour: Overcoming Isolation and Illness Away from Family

Jelly Roll encountered a significant emotional challenge during his concert tour. While…
Dog shoots owner after jumping on bed during gun cleaning accident in Pennsylvania home

Dog Accidentally Fires Gun, Injures Owner in Unusual Pennsylvania Incident

A Pennsylvania man, aged 53, was injured on Tuesday night after an…