Still missing after a day it went missing, the Air Asia flight QZ 8501 is reportedly on the bottom of the ocean after it disappeared without a trace on Sunday morning, Dec. 28. The Airbus A320-200 went missing over the Java Sea en route to Singapore from Surabaya, Indonesia with 162 people on board shortly after the pilot changed its course due to bad weather.
"We currently suspect that plane is located on the ocean floor," according to Bambang Soelistyo, the head of Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency in an interview ABC News. "If the plane is found on the ocean floor, there would be a challenge in getting the plane to the surface because they do not have the "submersible" equipment."
Soelistyo also revealed that the country is making use of 12 ships, three helicopters and five military aircraft to expedite the search. Malaysia also extended the help by deploying a c-130 plane and three ships, while Singapore lending its C-130. Australia also provided a Royal Australian Air Force Ap-3C Orion Maritime Patrol Aircraft to lend a hand to the search operations.
Yesterday's search and rescue operations was suspended during nightfall and was resumed early today with Air Asia Indonesia co-operating with other departments and "relevant countries." These departments include the team for aircraft design, the aircraft manufacturer from France and other operational teams that could help locate the missing plane.
Focusing his concern to the passengers' family, Air Asia's Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes told BBC News that the incident was his "worst nightmare." He also thanked all supporters who are sending their love and prayers on his Twitter account, and sending his gratitude to all his colleagues in the airline industry.
He also announced that the airlines' concern is for their crew and passenger's family who are waiting patiently for more updates and still hopeful to see their loved ones. Air Asia Flight QZ 8501 is the third Malaysia-based airline incident, after the disappearance of Malaysian Flight MH370 and the bombing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17.
Out of 155 passengers on board, 149 were Indonesians who are heading to Singapore for a Holiday break to see friends and family. Other passengers include three from South Korea and one from Malaysia, Singapore and one from UK. The crew members include six Indonesians and one from France.
Family members of passengers on board AirAsia flight QZ8501wait for information inside the AirAsia crisis centre at Juanda Airport in Surabaya, East Java December 28, 2014 in this photo taken by Antara Foto. Indonesia called off until first light a search for an AirAsia plane with 162 people on board that went missing on Sunday after pilots asked to change course to avoid bad weather during a flight from Indonesia's Surabaya city to Singapore. Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501, an Airbus 320-200 carrying 155 passengers and seven crew, lost contact with Jakarta air traffic control at 6:17 a.m. (2317 GMT on Saturday). No distress signal had been sent, said Joko Muryo Atmodjo, an Indonesian transport ministry official.REUTERS/Antara Foto/SuryantoReuters/Antara Foto/SuryantoAirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes (L) talks with director Sunu Widyatmoko during a news conference at the Juanda International Airport, Surabaya December 28, 2014. Indonesia's air force was searching for AirAsia Flight QZ8501 carrying 162 people that went missing on Sunday after the pilots asked to change course to avoid bad weather during a flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore. The Airbus 320-200 lost contact with Jakarta air traffic control at 6:17 a.m. (2317 GMT), officials said. REUTERS/Beawiharta Reuters/BeawihartaFamily of passengers onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501 react at a waiting area in Juanda International Airport, Surabaya December 28, 2014. Indonesia called off until first light a search for an AirAsia plane with 162 people on board that went missing on Sunday after pilots asked to change course to avoid bad weather during a flight from Indonesia's Surabaya city to Singapore. Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501, an Airbus 320-200 carrying 155 passengers and seven crew, lost contact with Jakarta air traffic control at 6:17 a.m. (2317 GMT on Saturday). No distress signal had been sent, said Joko Muryo Atmodjo, an Indonesian transport ministry official. REUTERS/BeawihartaReuters/BeawihartaFamily members of passengers onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501 react at a waiting area in Juanda International Airport, Surabaya December 28, 2014. Indonesia called off until first light a search for an AirAsia plane with 162 people on board that went missing on Sunday after pilots asked to change course to avoid bad weather during a flight from Indonesia's Surabaya city to Singapore. Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501, an Airbus 320-200 carrying 155 passengers and seven crew, lost contact with Jakarta air traffic control at 6:17 a.m. (2317 GMT on Saturday). No distress signal had been sent, said Joko Muryo Atmodjo, an Indonesian transport ministry official. REUTERS/Beawiharta REUTERS/BeawihartaA man (C) asks an officer for information about his family member who was onboard AirAsia flight QZ8501 at a waiting area in Surabaya's Juanda International Airport December 28, 2014. Indonesia called off until first light a search for the AirAsia plane with 162 people on board that went missing on Sunday after pilots asked to change course to avoid bad weather during a flight from Indonesia's Surabaya city to Singapore. Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501, an Airbus 320-200 carrying 155 passengers and seven crew, lost contact with Jakarta air traffic control at 6:17 a.m. (2317 GMT on Saturday). No distress signal had been sent, said Joko Muryo Atmodjo, an Indonesian transport ministry official. REUTERS/BeawihartaReuters/Beawiharta
