Why is the damaged black box from the crashed Jeju Air jet heading to the US?

On December 28, 2024, a tragic aviation accident occurred in South Korea involving a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air. The aircraft was attempting to land at Muan International Airport after a flight from Bangkok when it belly-landed and struck a concrete barrier at the end of the runway. All but two of the 181 people on board perished in the incident, marking it as South Korea's most severe plane crash in nearly three decades. With a total of 179 victims identified, grieving families gathered to mourn and pay respects to their lost loved ones at the crash site. The crash prompted an immediate response from South Korean authorities, who began an investigation into the factors leading to the disaster. Investigators extracted data from the cockpit voice recorder, with hopes it would provide insight into the moments leading up to the crash. The damaged flight data recorder, which could not be fixed locally, was sent to the United States for further analysis by the National Transportation Safety Board in collaboration with South Korean authorities. Questions surrounding the potential causes of the tragedy remain as officials scrutinize whether mechanical failure, including issues with the landing gear, played a role in the disaster. Investigation reports revealed that the aircraft issued a mayday call regarding a bird strike warning shortly before landing. A crew could have potentially lost both engines, contributing to the dire situation as they attempted to return to the runway. Furthermore, the proximity of the concrete embankment, designed to support navigation equipment, to the runway may have exacerbated the crash's severity, raising concerns from aviation safety experts. As the mourning period continues in South Korea until January 4, 2025, families have faced immense grief and frustration over the loss of their loved ones. They are calling for a transparent and thorough investigation to ensure accountability and to address the safety concerns that led to the catastrophe. Amidst this tragedy, the nation collectively mourns, while questions linger regarding the future of aviation safety and regulations.