As authorities investigate the passenger jet crash, police conduct a 'search and seizure operation' at the airline's offices and airport. Police in South Korea have prohibited Jeju Air CEO Kim E-bae from leaving the country amid an inquiry into the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil.
This action was taken on Thursday as aviation authorities intensified their investigation into the cause of the fatal crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 on Sunday, which resulted in the deaths of 179 out of 181 people on board. The police released a statement indicating their intent to “swiftly and rigorously determine the cause and responsibility” for the accident.
On Wednesday, South Korean authorities announced they had retrieved initial data from one of the Boeing 737-800’s two "black boxes". Due to damage sustained in the crash, the other recorder is being sent to the United States for analysis.
South Korean officials have initiated an inspection of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in use and a broader investigation into the nation’s entire airline operations.
The country's acting president, Choi Sang-mok, stated on Thursday that immediate measures must be taken if the inspections uncover any issues with the aircraft model. “Given the significant public concern about the aircraft model involved in the accident, the transport ministry and relevant organizations must conduct a thorough inspection of operation maintenance, education, and training,” Choi said.
Aviation experts have suggested several potential causes and contributing factors to the disaster, including a bird strike, mechanical failure, and the presence of a hardened embankment less than 300 meters (328 yards) from the runway's end. The Boeing 737-800 landed on its belly on the runway without deploying its landing gear, shortly after the pilot reported a bird strike to air traffic control. It then skidded into a concrete embankment and burst into flames.
The crash was the deadliest incident involving a South Korean airline since a Korean Air Boeing 747 crashed into a Guam hillside in 1997, resulting in 228 fatalities.
