The aircraft’s first black box data recorder was found in damaged condition among debris in the mud on the sea floor (Source: AFP/VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesian investigatorssucceeded in retrieving hours of data from the first black box onLion Air's Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet, whichcrashed into the sea off the coast of Karawang in West Javaprovince on October 29, killing 189 people on board.
Speakingat a press conference on November 4, HaryoSatmiko, deputy head of the National TransportationSafety Committee of Indonesia, said 69hours of flight data was downloaded from the recorder including its fatalflight.
On November 1, the aircraft’s first black box data recorderwas found in damaged condition among debris in the mud on the sea floor at adepth of 32.5m. Investigators said it required special handlingto retrieve its information.
The second box has not been found which recorded voice in the aircraft’s cockpit.Divers are mapping the search area based on a small "ping" signal emittedby the device.
Indonesianauthorities have decided to extend the three-day search for the victims and thesecond black box.
Thisdecision was made based on assessments and observations at the scene of theaccident.
Thesecond black box is said to be located about 50 metres from the main searcharea and at a depth of 30 metres. However, sea currents and one-metre sediment onthe seabed are hampering the search work.
On November 3, head of the NationalSearch and Rescue Office Muhammad Syaugi said the rescue team detected againthe sound of a ping locator installed at the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) ofthe air plane.
In the meantime, all turbines and two landinggears and the fuselage of the aircraft have been discovered at the seabed.
Syaugi also confirmed that a volunteer Indonesian diver died in thesearch for the downed flight.
After an inspection carried out on November 2, the Indonesian TransportMinistry announced that it found faultsin two other Boeing 737-MAX 8 jets, including a cockpit indicator displayproblem which an analyst warned may be similar to one reported in the crashedLion Air Jet.
The ministry said it examined 10 of the newly released jetsowned by Lion Air and flagship carrier Garuda, as authorities analyse data froma recovered black box that may help explain why flight JT610 crashed into theJava Sea.
Sofar, the search and rescue force has collected and handed over 105 body bags tothe police for identification. Only 14 bodies have been identified.
The jet, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, was en route fromJakarta to Pangkakpinang in Bangka Belitung province off Sumatra island. Itlost contact with air traffic control just 13 minutes after takeoff.
The incident is reported to be the first majoraccident involving a Boeing 737 Max – an updated version of the 737.
The Lion Air crash is the worst airline disasterin Indonesia since 1997, when 234 people died after a Garuda flight crashednear Medan.
Asscheduled, a preliminary investigation report on cause of the accident will bereleased after 30 days. - VNA
VNA
