Brief Summary
This video investigates the Juzu Airlines crash in South Korea, which killed 179 people. The video explores several key aspects of the investigation, including the bird strike, the missing data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR), and the death of a former executive of the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC). The video also discusses the potential role of cultural factors in the crash.
- The video highlights the importance of accurate information for future flight safety and for the families of the victims.
- The video emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the investigation.
- The video raises concerns about the missing data from the CVR and FDR and the potential implications for the investigation.
The Crash
The video begins by providing background information on the Juzu Airlines flight 7C 2216 crash, which occurred on December 29th, 2024, at Muan International Airport in South Korea. The Boeing 737-800 aircraft, carrying 175 passengers and six crew members, reportedly experienced a bird strike while on final approach. The pilots declared a Mayday and executed a go-around, but during the second attempted landing, the landing gear was not deployed. The aircraft overran the runway and collided with a concrete structure, resulting in a catastrophic fire. 79 individuals lost their lives, and two survived. The video also provides details about the two survivors, both flight attendants, and their injuries.
Bird Strike and Engine Damage
Investigators have confirmed the presence of bird feathers and blood in both engines of the aircraft. While bird strikes are common in airliners, the engines are designed to handle them. However, the extent of the damage caused by the bird strike in this case is unclear. The video analyzes the aircraft's flight data and concludes that the bird strike alone could not have caused the crash.
Landing Gear and Go-Around
The video discusses a report from South Korea that the Boeing 737 was configured for landing, with the flaps and gear down and locked, at the time of the bird strike. This report, if accurate, has significant implications for the investigation. The video explains standard procedures for the 737 in the US, where the aircraft is typically configured for landing just before passing the outer marker or the final approach fix. However, the video also notes that the gear appears to be in the up position in ground footage of the aircraft. The video then presents a report from a source in South Korea, who claims that the gear was down and locked at the time of the go-around, and that the crew retracted the gear after the decision to go around.
Death of Sun Chang Wan
The video reports on the death of Sun Chang Wan, the former president of the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), who was found dead at his residence on January 21st, 2025. Reports indicate that Sun may have taken his own life, although there was no suicide note. The KAC is a public corporation responsible for the management, operation, and development of most of South Korea's airports, including Muan International Airport. Sun's tenure as head of the KAC included the 2020 renovation of Muan International Airport's localizer.
Localizer Structure and Safety Concerns
The video discusses the localizer structure at Muan International Airport, which has been scrutinized following the Juzu Airlines crash. The localizer array was constructed with a concrete base on an elevated mound, which has been criticized for not adhering to international standards. The video explains that international standards recommend using frangible materials for objects or facilities near the runway safety area to minimize damage to aircraft. The video also notes that the localizer structure was located 656 feet from the end of the runway, but the issue was its height and the thick concrete support structure.
Muan International Airport and Bird Strikes
The video discusses the location of Muan International Airport and its challenges. The airport is situated along migratory routes for birds, which poses a heightened risk of bird strikes. The video shows a chart used by South Korean pilots that highlights the airport's proximity to areas of heavy bird feeding and roosting. The video also explains that bird ingestion in airline engines is common and that engines are designed to handle it.
Missing Data from CVR and FDR
The video discusses the missing data from the CVR and FDR, which would provide crucial information about the final four minutes of the flight. South Korean authorities report that the final four minutes of data are missing from both devices, possibly due to a complete electrical failure. However, the video notes that the radios were operational during this time, raising questions about how the CVR and FDR could have stopped recording. The video explains that the FAA required all airliners to have an alternative power source in 2003 to ensure the continued operation of critical systems like the radios, instruments, CVR, and FDR. The video also discusses the aircraft's history, noting that it was built in 2009 and delivered to Ryanair, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Irish Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Both agencies have adopted similar requirements to the FAA, meaning that the CVR should have remained operational.
Cultural Factors and Cockpit Communication
The video explores the potential role of cultural factors in the crash, drawing parallels to the Korean Air flight 801 accident in 1997. The video explains that the Korean Air flight 801 crash was largely attributed to a combination of human error, miscommunication in the cockpit, and possibly cultural factors. The video highlights the hierarchical and deferential cockpit culture common in South Korean aviation at the time, which may have contributed to the first officer's failure to challenge the captain's decisions. The video then discusses the captain and first officer in the Juzu Airlines crash, noting that the captain was a former Korean Air Force pilot with significantly more experience than the first officer. The video raises the question of whether the first officer's failure to question the captain's decisions could be attributed to cultural factors.
Changes Implemented by the South Korean Government
The video discusses the changes implemented by the South Korean government in response to the Juzu Airlines crash. These changes include identifying and addressing safety hazards at nine different airport locations around the country, reducing the number of flights per aircraft to allow for more maintenance and inspections, and emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in the investigation.
Media Coverage and the Importance of Truth
The video concludes by discussing the media coverage of the crash and the importance of finding the truth. The video notes that the South Korean media was quick to point the finger at Boeing, but emphasizes the need to focus on the facts and to fix any mechanical issues that may have contributed to the crash. The video stresses the importance of finding the missing data from the CVR and FDR, regardless of the potential implications for any party involved. The video ends with a call for transparency and accountability in the investigation, and for the families of the victims to receive the truth.
