Gas debris also being recovered... Transcript completed
Dedicated snow removal vehicles deployed from the 7th ahead of forecasted snowfall
The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has officially begun investigating the engines of the accident aircraft to determine the cause of the Muan Airport Jeju Air passenger plane disaster.
On the morning of the 5th, officials are inspecting the localizer at the Jeju Air passenger plane accident site at Muan International Airport in Jeollanam-do. / Photo by Yonhap News
On the 5th, MOLIT announced that the ARAIB has recovered both engines of the accident aircraft and completed their transfer to the hangar. One engine was transported on the 3rd, and the other was moved the day before.
The ARAIB is conducting investigations on these engines and other major components such as the landing gear. They are also relocating aircraft debris scattered outside the airport fence due to the impact of the accident to inside the fence for examination.
The ARAIB completed the transcription of the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) capturing the last two hours before the accident the day before. The flight data recorder (FDR), which is difficult to extract data from domestically, is being prepared to be sent to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on the 6th. Two investigators will accompany the transfer.
MOLIT is conducting a special inspection of 101 aircraft operated by six domestic airlines using the B737-800 model. The inspection covers the appropriateness of maintenance history, pre- and post-flight checks, management of operation and maintenance records, and maintenance personnel.
Additionally, by the 8th, navigation safety facilities installed at 13 airports nationwide, including Incheon and Gimpo Airports, will be inspected. This excludes Muan Airport, where the accident occurred, and Gunsan Airport, a U.S. military facility. MOLIT plans to conduct inspections at Gunsan Airport later with cooperation from the U.S. military.
Meanwhile, as of 2 p.m. on the day, 176 of the 179 deceased have been transferred to funeral homes, and the remaining three bodies are placed in temporary morgues. Joint memorial altars set up at Muan Airport, Jeonnam Provincial Office, and Muan Sports Park will continue to operate, and MOLIT stated that emergency on-site care services for bereaved families will also be made available.
A MOLIT official said, "With heavy snow and strong winds forecast starting the 7th, dedicated snow removal vehicles have been deployed on roads near Muan Airport to preserve the accident site, and snow removal equipment has been secured." He added, "Additional accommodations at Mokpo National University dormitories have been secured for use by bereaved families."
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