INDONESIA’S National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) yesterday confirmed that a search-and-rescue (SAR) team has identified the tail of AirAsia’s QZ8501 aircraft, kickstarting attempts to retrieve the black box.
Divers from the SAR team yesterday carried out underwater documentation of the aircraft’s tail and small pieces of wreckage, and subsequently found the plane’s registration number among the debris. The tail was discovered within the additional search area approximately 30km from the primary site.
In his daily update televised live this morning, Bambang Sulistyo, head of BARSARNAS, said: “Our plan today is to find out if the AirAsia black box is still in its original position.”
A team of divers was dispatched this morning but limited visibility and fast-flowing undercurrents have hampered the attempt to retrieve the black box.
“If the black box is intact, BASARNAS will coordinate with the National Transportation Safety Committee to (further the investigation into the incident),” he said.
Following the latest finding, BASARNAS will focus later SAR operations in the same area.
Indonesia AirAsia flight QZ8501 went missing over the northern Java Sea on December 28 with 162 on board. There are no known survivors.
Seven Indonesian officials have been suspended so far as transport authorities review air transport operations in the country, which already suffers a negative image in terms of aviation safety. The officials are suspected of being involved in unscheduled flight approvals, stated Singapore broadsheet The Straits Times.
According to the report, Indonesia’s transport minister Ignasius Jonan said yesterday that AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes has admitted that AirAsia had no route permit.
Meanwhile, the carrier says it will offer US$100,000 in compensation for each passenger on the flight on top of the initial payment of US$24,000, according to CNN.
