The investigation into the crash which cost the lives of 179 passengers of a Boeing in South Korea three days ago continues. One of the black boxes from the Boeing 737-800 that crashed in Muan will be sent to the United States for examination.
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South Korea announced on Wednesday that the comprehensive inspection of all Boeing 737-800 planes operated by the country’s airlines was focusing “mainly” on the landing gears, following the accident of a plane of this type. same model which left 179 dead in Muan. The ongoing examinations “mainly focus on the landing gear, which did not deploy properly in this case,” said Director General in charge of aviation safety policy Yoo Kyeong-soo. It was decided on the day of the accident to carry out an inspection of these planes. The landing gear of Jeju Air’s Boeing 737-800 had not deployed before the crash.
Concerning the black boxes of the accident aircraft, given the impossibility of extracting on South Korean soil the information contained in ” the flight data recorder damaged, it was decided to transport it to the United States for collaborative analysis » with American investigators, Deputy Minister in charge of aviation Joo Jong-wan explained this Wednesday.
Investigators deployed on site extracted the first data from the other black box, the one containing the conversations in the cockpit, Mr. Joo also explained. Its study should make it possible to listen to the latest communications from the pilots.
The possibility of a collision with birds was mentioned to explain the tragedy. The Muan airport control tower had sent a warning to this effect to the crew three minutes before the crash. The pilot had sent him a distress message before the emergency landing. Jet engines can lose power or even stop completely after sucking in a bird.
Critics, however, focus on the architecture of the airport and in particular on the presence of the solid obstacle struck by the plane, which is a guidance aid tool present at other airports in the country.
In total, 179 of the 181 passengers died, only a hostess and a steward having survived this disaster, the worst air accident that South Korea has experienced on its territory.