▲ Firefighters carry out search operations at Muan International Airport in the southwestern county of Muan on Dec. 30, 2024, after a Jeju Air passenger plane with 181 people aboard crashed the previous day. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) plane crash-probe

(LEAD) U.S. investigators, Boeing officials join on-site probe of Jeju Air crash in Muan

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in paras 2, 8-9)

SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- A team of investigators from the U.S. government and aircraft manufacturer Boeing Co. have arrived at the site of the Jeju Air crash at Muan International Airport to participate in the investigation into the incident, Seoul officials said Tuesday.

According to Seoul's transport ministry, one member from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, three experts from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and four representatives from Boeing have joined officials of South Korea's Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board (ARAIB) for the investigation at the site of the accident.

The U.S. team arrived in South Korea on Monday via Incheon International Airport and traveled directly to Muan, some 290 kilometers southwest of Seoul, to prepare for the investigation.

Under the International Civil Aviation Organization convention, the country where the accident occurred is responsible for initiating the investigation.

Countries with stakeholders in the incident, such as the aircraft's operator and manufacturer, and nations with victims have the right to participate. Thailand, which had two nationals die in the accident, has reportedly chosen not to take part in this investigation.

The U.S. and Boeing representatives, together with 11 members of South Korea's ARAIB, are currently assessing the wreckage and debris at the crash site, searching for components that could offer clues about the cause of the accident, according to the ministry.

Following the on-site probe, the investigation will proceed to the analysis phase, which will involve examining the recovered evidence and data extracted from the aircraft's two black boxes.

The aircraft's flight data recorder, one of the black boxes, was found to have suffered exterior damage. The recorder was also found to be missing a connector that links its data storage unit to the power supply.

"Authorities are examining technical methods to extract the data despite the absence of the connector," Joo Jong-wan, head of aviation policy at the transport ministry, said.

The second black box, the cockpit voice recorder, is reportedly in a relatively better condition.

The investigation team will soon decide whether to attempt repairs and analysis of the damaged black box domestically or to send the device to the NTSB in the U.S. for further examination.

(END)

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]