Missing Part in Flight Data Recorder
The investigation into the tragic plane crash in South Korea, which killed 179 people, has been delayed due to a missing component in the flight data recorder (FDR). Authorities have confirmed that the FDR lost the connector linking the data storage unit to the power storage unit, which is essential for retrieving flight data.
The FDR was recovered from the wreckage of the Jeju Air Co. plane that exploded at Muan International Airport on Sunday morning. This missing part may hinder efforts to determine the cause of the crash, which is being thoroughly investigated.
Restoration Efforts Underway
Deputy Minister for Civil Aviation, Joo Jong-wan, announced that experts are working to restore the data from the FDR but did not specify how long it might take. The ministry is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible to avoid further delays in the investigation.
In addition to the FDR, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), which captures communications and engine sounds, has been secured. Investigators, including US aviation authorities and Boeing experts, will begin examining the data on December 31.
Bird Strike and Other Factors Investigated
Early signs suggest that bird strikes may have played a role in the crash. A bird-strike warning was issued to the pilot just minutes before the crash occurred. The plane collided with a wall shortly after the mayday call was made.
Authorities are also investigating why the plane’s landing gears failed to function properly and whether the localizer system, which guides aircraft during landings, contributed to the crash.
