An AirAsia flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has gone missing. The flight lost all contacts just an hour before its due arrival at Singapore after the pilot requested for a change of course due to inclement weather conditions.
As per the latest media reports, the flight has crashed into the Java Sea, fearing 161 people dead. Indonesian authorities have said that no such information is confirmed, but they are definitely monitoring this angle as well.
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the Indonesia – Singapore route lies within the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) which is usually infested with huge thunderstorms. The pilot had requested in the change of the flight route and flight level to avoid the bad weather that may be the prime factor for the mishap.
Another aspect to be noticed is that both Malaysia and Indonesia, for the last couple of days, have been experiencing inclement weather conditions in terms of heavy rains, landslides, mudslides and floods.
The flight consisted of five crew members, two pilots, 155 passengers, including one infant and 16 children. According to Indonesian TV reports, the flight had 149 Indonesians, three Koreans, one Briton, one Malaysian and one Singaporean on board.
The flight lost contact nearly 42 minutes after its takeoff while it was cruising in Indonesian airspace. To further assist the ongoing search and rescue operations, a surveillance Boeing aircraft has been deployed.
