An AirAsia plane that went missing with 162 people on board after
takeoff from Indonesia is probably at the bottom of the sea, Indonesia's
National Search and Rescue Agency chief has said.
takeoff from Indonesia is probably at the bottom of the sea, Indonesia's
National Search and Rescue Agency chief has said.
The statement on Monday came as ships and helicopters scoured the
Java Sea for signs of wreckage from the plane that went missing a day
earlier soon after take off. An Indonesian helicopter reported spotting
two oily spots in the water while an Australian search plane claimed
seeing some objects elsewhere.
Java Sea for signs of wreckage from the plane that went missing a day
earlier soon after take off. An Indonesian helicopter reported spotting
two oily spots in the water while an Australian search plane claimed
seeing some objects elsewhere.
It was, however, too early to know whether either sighting was connected to the missing aircraft.
"Based on the coordinates given to us and evaluation that the
estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is
at the bottom of the sea," Henry Bambang Soelistyo, Indonesia's National
Search and Rescue Agency chief told reporters.
estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is
at the bottom of the sea," Henry Bambang Soelistyo, Indonesia's National
Search and Rescue Agency chief told reporters.
"That's the preliminary suspicion and it can develop based on the evaluation of the result of our search."
First Admiral Sigit Setiayana, the Naval Aviation Center Commander at
the Surabaya air force base, said that 12 navy ships, five planes,
three helicopters and a number of warships were searching an area of
east and southeast of Indonesia's Belitung island and nearby waters.
the Surabaya air force base, said that 12 navy ships, five planes,
three helicopters and a number of warships were searching an area of
east and southeast of Indonesia's Belitung island and nearby waters.
Malaysia, Singapore and Australia have joined the operation.
Al Jazeera's Scott Heidler, reporting from Surabaya, said that
Australia had deployed sophisticated surveillance aircraft in the
multinational search over the Java Sea.
Australia had deployed sophisticated surveillance aircraft in the
multinational search over the Java Sea.
Singapore offered to provide "underwater assistance" which our
correspondent said would be in the form of underwater vehicles as well
as personnel.
correspondent said would be in the form of underwater vehicles as well
as personnel.
The search teams are combing through an area of 200km radius.
The Airbus A320-200 went missing after air traffic controllers lost
contact with the aircraft about 45 minutes after it left Juanda
international airport at Surabaya in East Java at 5:20am on Sunday
(22:20 GMT Saturday).
contact with the aircraft about 45 minutes after it left Juanda
international airport at Surabaya in East Java at 5:20am on Sunday
(22:20 GMT Saturday).
Shortly before disappearing, AirAsia said pilots of the plane had
asked permission from Jakarta air traffic control to change course and
climb above bad weather in an area noted for severe thunderstorms.
asked permission from Jakarta air traffic control to change course and
climb above bad weather in an area noted for severe thunderstorms.
Investigation ongoing
Our correspondent said that investigators were checking all passenger
profiles and footage of X-rays of the luggage taken on board, as well as
looking into the maintenance of the plane.
profiles and footage of X-rays of the luggage taken on board, as well as
looking into the maintenance of the plane.
"There are also reports that some fishermen might have heard
something before the news that the plane had disappeared off radar came
out," he said.
something before the news that the plane had disappeared off radar came
out," he said.
The airline said 155 of those on board Flight QZ8501 were
Indonesians, with three South Koreans and one person each from
Singapore, Malaysia, Britain and France.
Indonesians, with three South Koreans and one person each from
Singapore, Malaysia, Britain and France.
The aircraft was operated by AirAsia Indonesia, a unit of
Malaysian-based AirAsia which
dominates Southeast Asia's booming Malaysian-based AirAsia which
low-cost airline market.
AirAsia said the missing jet last underwent maintenance on November 16. The company has never suffered a fatal accident.
"The plane is in good condition but the weather is not so good,"
Djoko Murjatmodjo told a press conference at Jakarta's airport,
addressing reports of severe storms in the area where the jet went
missing.
Djoko Murjatmodjo told a press conference at Jakarta's airport,
addressing reports of severe storms in the area where the jet went
missing.
An official from Indonesia's Transport Ministry said the pilot asked
to ascend by 6,000 feet to 38,000 feet to avoid heavy clouds.
to ascend by 6,000 feet to 38,000 feet to avoid heavy clouds.
Climbing to dodge large rain clouds is a standard procedure for aircraft in these conditions.
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