South Korea extends shutdown of Muan airport as a result of crash probe

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s authorities stated on Monday it’s going to lengthen the shutdown of Muan Worldwide Airport by every week to Jan. 14, citing the continuing investigation into the crash of a Jeju Air jet that killed 179 passengers on board.

The airport had been as a result of reopen on Tuesday following the Dec. 29 crash.

A joint investigation crew is stepping up the probe into South Korea’s deadliest air accident. Two of the Korean investigators on Monday are set to depart for the US with flight information recorders for evaluation with the U.S. Nationwide Transportation Security Board.

The flight information recorders, together with cockpit voice recorders, are the 2 black bins that comprise key details about the crash.

Investigators on Saturday compiled the whole transcript from the cockpit voice recorder recovered from the wreckage of the Jeju Air Boeing (NYSE:BA) 737-800. It’s not clear whether or not they’ll disclose the transcript.

Investigators retrieved two of the aircraft’s engines over the weekend, as a consultant from engine maker GE joined the probe. The transport ministry prolonged to Jan. 10 its inspections of all of the Boeing 737-800 planes operated by Jeju Air and 5 different airways within the nation, together with their upkeep information.