Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 crashes into Karimata Strait
December 28th, 2014
December 28th, 2014
How Long Ago?
10 years, 2 months, 15 days ago
Location
Karimata Strait, Indonesia
Category
Accidents & Tragedies
Links & References
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Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 crashes into Karimata Strait
Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 was a scheduled flight from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore that crashed into the Karimata Strait. The flight lost contact with air traffic control less than 30 minutes after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 162 passengers and crew aboard. The aircraft, an Airbus A320-216, encountered severe weather, which contributed to the tragic loss.
Aircraft lost contact after 27 minutes of flight
All 162 persons on board were killed
Severe weather contributed to the crash
Search efforts revealed debris and bodies in days
What Happened?
Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 was scheduled to depart from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, Indonesia, heading to Singapore's Changi Airport on a Sunday morning. The aircraft, an Airbus A320-216 with the registration PK-AXC, took off at 5:35 AM local time. Approximately 27 minutes into the flight, the plane lost contact with air traffic control while flying over the Java Sea, shortly after making a request to ascend to a higher altitude to avoid bad weather. Despite the crew's attempts to maneuver around severe thunderstorms, the aircraft encountered difficulties, ultimately leading to the crash into the Karimata Strait. The flight had a total of 162 people on board, including 155 passengers and seven crew members. Searches commenced immediately after the flight was reported missing, involving both Indonesian and international teams. Debris, personal effects, and bodies were located in the following days, highlighting the challenging search conditions due to the weather.
Why Does it Matter?
The crash of Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 underscored the safety challenges facing the aviation industry in Southeast Asia. It prompted renewed discussions on air travel regulations, the efficiency of search and rescue operations, and the importance of maintaining robust safety protocols. The event also led to an investigation by the National Transportation Safety Committee of Indonesia, which aimed to prevent similar tragedies in the future. This incident serves as a crucial lesson in aviation safety and risk management, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding weather-related challenges in air travel.
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