The tragic crash of a Jeju Air jet in South Korea on December 29, which killed 179 people, is under investigation as authorities seek answers regarding the blackout of the flight data and voice recorders shortly before impact.

The crash, marking South Korea's worst aviation disaster, has raised significant concerns as the flight data and cockpit voice recorders stopped functioning just minutes prior to the accident. Investigators are probing the mysterious blackout, which may indicate a complete loss of power, and are scrutinizing the embankment's construction near the runway. Families of the victims are demanding an independent investigation to ensure accountability and clarity in the findings.

The Jeju Air flight was approaching Muan Airport when it reported an emergency shortly before the crash. The pilots declared the emergency after encountering a bird strike just two minutes prior to the incident. This sudden bird strike may have contributed to the aircraft's inability to safely land, leading to the devastating outcome.

As the aircraft attempted to land, it belly-landed and overshot the runway, colliding with a concrete structure. The crash killed 179 people, making it the worst aviation disaster on South Korean soil. The loss of life marks a heartbreaking moment in South Korea's aviation history.

In response to the incident, authorities have initiated a thorough investigation into the cause of the crash. The flight's black boxes, which contain critical flight data and voice recordings, are central to this inquiry. Notably, the black boxes stopped recording approximately four minutes before the aircraft struck the concrete structure, prompting authorities to explore potential reasons for this failure in data capture.

The implications of such a scenario are alarming and further fuel the investigation into the technical failures occurring just before the crash, as noted by Sim Jai-dong, a former transport ministry accident investigator, who commented that the missing data suggests all power including backup may have been cut, which is rare.

After initial analysis in South Korea, the cockpit voice recorder was sent to a laboratory run by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board for further examination. Meanwhile, the flight data recorder sustained heavy damage in the crash and also was shipped to the United States for a thorough assessment. These analyses are crucial for understanding the final moments of the flight.

In addition to the investigation concerning the black boxes, there are growing concerns regarding the construction of the embankment the aircraft struck. Investigators are scrutinizing why this embankment was built with rigid materials and placed in proximity to the runway, suspecting that it may have played a critical role in the crash's severity. The location and design of such structures are pivotal considerations in aviation safety, and this case may set precedents for future regulations.

The families of the victims have expressed their anguish and frustration over the crash's aftermath. Many are worried about the integrity of the investigation being led by the South Korean transport ministry, voicing concerns about transparency and accountability. They are calling for the involvement of independent experts to ensure an unbiased and thorough examination of all factors involved in the tragedy.

The impact of this disaster is felt not only in the immediate community but across the nation, as South Korea grapples with the profound loss of life and the questions surrounding aviation safety. The investigation is expected to take considerable time as authorities work to piece together the events leading to the crash, hoping to provide much-needed closure to grieving families and establish measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.