AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Down
Jayde Eubanks
One of 2014’s most memorable events occurred on March 8 when Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, an international passenger flight, disappeared without a trace while flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia, to Beijing Capital International Airport, China. It was a tragedy that tugged at the heartstrings of people around the globe. Unfortunately, the year ended with another missing flight, boarded with 162 passengers and crew, including 138 adults, 16 children, and 1 infant. AirAsia Flight QZ8501 departed from Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, at 5:35 a.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) on December 28, 2014 and was scheduled to land that same day at Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore, at 8:30 a.m. Singapore Standard Time (SST). As one can assume, the flight never arrived. At 7: 47 a.m. (WIB) AirAsia’s twitter page tweeted “AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact at 07:24hrs this morning.” At 10:41, AirAsia announced that search and rescue (SAR) was underway. The flight reportedly lost contact with air traffic control, while traveling over the Java Sea, after requesting to rise from 32,000 feet to 38,000 feet to avoid thick clouds, caused by poor weather conditions. The Indonesian Transport Ministry, a government department responsible for transportation affairs in Indonesia, reported that no distress signal was sent from the missing aircraft. After two days of searching, SAR made a breakthrough when they discovered parts of the plane resurfacing on the ocean, along with luggage and bodies. So far, SAR has managed to recover 70 bodies, positively identifying 56, and leaving 92 still missing. Two black boxes, devices used to record an aircraft’s flight, have also been retrieved. The search and rescue of all passengers remains in effect.
News of the catastrophe made its mark everywhere, even to this little town of Mascoutah. Lorna Dye, a Mascoutah High School junior, stated, “When I first heard about AirAsia flight QZ8501, I was shocked because I thought “Really? This is the second plane that has gone down this year.” but I knew it had crashed in the ocean because they hit bad weather.” She then continued to describe some of her theories in accordance to the crashed aircraft, which were interesting to consider. Lorna definitely knew her information.
Some students were not so informed about the tragedy, but showed interest when I told them of the event. “I didn’t know about there was a plane crash until you just told me,” said Desiree Baxter. “I don’t think I heard about it because I wasn’t informed by my family or friends or teachers. Normally, in history class, we discuss current events and I’m shocked that no one has been talking about it.” After a few moments of describing the events leading up to and after the flight’s crash, Desiree replied, “I’ll have to look this up.”
Channel Fogarty stated, “I didn’t know about AirAsia, although I watch the news every morning before I come to school. However, I don’t really pay attention. Improvements definitely need to be made to the aviation industry though.”
Some terrible things have occurred over the years. Both Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 and AirAsia Flight QZ8501 became devastating disasters of 2014 that will never be forgotten. So many lives were lost and so many families are grieving for their loved ones. All we can do is pray for the families of those poor souls aboard AirAsia Flight QZ8501 and Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, and hope that other catastrophes, like these aircrafts, don’t happen again.
Photos of Air Asia Crash & Flight Path