Seoul: South Korea’s government announced on Monday that the shutdown of Muan International Airport will be extended until January 14, following the ongoing investigation into the tragic crash of a Jeju Air jet that claimed the lives of 179 passengers on board. The airport had originally been set to reopen on Tuesday, after the December 29 crash.
A joint investigation team is intensifying efforts to probe the deadliest air accident in South Korea’s history. On Monday, two Korean investigators are scheduled to depart for the United States, taking flight data recorders with them for analysis by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
The flight data recorders, alongside cockpit voice recorders, are critical components in understanding the circumstances of the crash. Investigators on Saturday completed a full transcript of the cockpit voice recorder, which was recovered from the wreckage of the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800. It remains uncertain whether the transcript will be made public.
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Over the weekend, investigators also retrieved two of the plane’s engines, with a representative from engine manufacturer GE joining the probe. In addition, the South Korean transport ministry has extended its inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by Jeju Air and five other airlines in the country, including a review of their maintenance records, until January 10.
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