SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s government has extended the shutdown of Muan International Airport by a week to January 14 due to the ongoing investigation into the crash of a Jeju Air jet that killed 179 passengers on board. The airport was initially set to reopen on Tuesday following the December 29 crash.
A joint investigation team is stepping up its probe into the country’s deadliest air accident, with two Korean investigators set to leave for the United States with flight data recorders for analysis with the US National Transportation Safety Board. The flight data recorders, along with cockpit voice recorders, are key to understanding the crash.
The investigation team has compiled the complete transcript from the cockpit voice recorder recovered from the wreckage of the Jeju Air Boeing 737-800, but it is unclear if the transcript will be disclosed. Investigators have also retrieved two of the plane’s engines and a representative from engine maker GE has joined the probe.
The transport ministry has extended its inspections of all Boeing 737-800 planes operated by Jeju Air and five other airlines in the country, including their maintenance records, to January 10.