Unsolved Mystery: Chinese Investigators Still Seek Answers for Deadly Jet Nosedive
Despite two years of investigation, Chinese authorities have yet to determine the cause of the tragic Boeing 737-800 nosedive that resulted in the deaths of all 132 passengers on board. The investigation into China's deadliest air disaster continues with no definitive clues revealed as to why the jet plummeted 29,000 feet into a remote mountain.
Two years after a tragic incident where a Boeing 737-800 passenger jet crashed into a remote mountain, resulting in the loss of all 132 lives on board, investigators in China have yet to provide any new insights into the cause of the country's deadliest air disaster in decades.
In an update on their investigation released on Wednesday, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) did not address the critical question of what led to the nosedive of China Eastern flight 5735. Additionally, there was no mention of data from the plane's black boxes, which could provide vital clues to help understand the events that transpired.
The recent statement from the aviation authorities did not provide any new information regarding the investigation into the fatal plane crash. It simply repeated that there were no issues with the aircraft, crew, or weather before the flight took off from Kunming to Guangzhou on March 21, 2022.
Despite this update, many people in China are still wondering about the cause of the crash. Some are questioning why details from the black boxes have not been shared by the investigators.
Black boxes are essential devices that capture important flight data and cockpit conversations. Investigators rely on this information to piece together the sequence of events that led to an aircraft incident.
In a preliminary report issued in April 2022, the CAAC mentioned that the black boxes from the China Eastern jet crash were severely damaged. Currently, efforts to restore and analyze the data are still ongoing.
Sophisticated laboratories such as those operated by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as well as similar agencies in France, Australia, and the United Kingdom, have the capability to reconstruct damaged memory cards and match the data with audio recordings from the cockpit voice recorder.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal in May 2022, black box data recovered from the flight was analyzed by the US NTSB. The preliminary assessment by US officials suggests that someone deliberately caused the plane to crash while in the cockpit.
According to a source familiar with American officials' initial assessment, the plane followed the commands given by someone in the cockpit, as reported by The Journal.
The CAAC has stated that the crash was not intentionally caused, refuting any claims suggesting otherwise.
“These rumors…have seriously misled the public and interfered with the investigation of the accident,” Wu Shijie, a CAAC official, told a news conference in April 2022.
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In its update Wednesday, the CAAC said no faults or abnormalities were found in the aircraft’s systems, structures or engines before take-off.
The flight and cabin crew had valid licenses and had enough rest, as well as passing health checks on the day of the flight. The support staff and facilities at the departure airport were in good condition. Air control personnel, communication, navigation, and monitoring systems were also functioning properly.
Before the crash, there were no abnormalities in radio communications or control commands. Additionally, there were no reports of dangerous weather in the airspace of the plane or along its route, according to the CAAC.
There was no evidence indicating that the plane had any dangerous items in either the cargo or passengers' luggage.
The statement mentioned that the technical investigation team will proceed with experimental verification and cause analysis in the follow-up. They will also release relevant information promptly as the investigation progresses, indicating that the investigation will extend into a third year.
The announcement received harsh criticism on Chinese social media.
A top comment on the social platform Weibo, with nearly 28,000 upvotes, expressed, "If everything is normal, it means that it is either done intentionally by someone on board, or caused by sudden force majeure!"
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing investigation into the tragic China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 crash remains shrouded in mystery, leaving families of victims and the public seeking answers. Despite the passage of two years, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has provided scant information, raising concerns about the thoroughness and transparency of the probe. The lack of updates on the analysis of black box data, which could shed light on the events leading to the crash, is particularly unsettling.
The preliminary assessment by US officials, suggesting deliberate action by someone in the cockpit, adds another layer of complexity to the investigation. While the CAAC has refuted these claims, the absence of a clear explanation for the nosedive that claimed 132 lives has fueled speculation and mistrust. The public deserves a comprehensive and timely account of the findings, including a thorough examination of all potential causes, to ensure accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
