Dec 27, 2014, 9:43 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
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QZ8501 Moderator team: JDiver, cblaisd, Moderator2, starflyergold, armagebedar
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AirAsia Indonesia has verified QZ8501 has reported missing with 162 aboard. Departed Surabaya, Indonesia 0532 local time, last contact with ATC 0714 local Singapore time / 0614 Western Indonesia Time Sunday, 28 Dec 2014. QZ8501 was due to arrive SIN 0837 local time.
Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia is on Western Indonesia Time (WIB), UTC +7.
Originally Posted by AirAsia Indonesia FaceBook page
AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control at 07:24 (Surabaya LT) this morning. The flight took off from Juanda International Airport in Surabaya at 0535 hours.
Search and rescue operations are being conducted under the guidance of The Indonesia of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). AirAsia Indonesia is cooperating fully and assisting the investigation in every possible way.
The aircraft was on the submitted flight plan route and was requesting deviation due to en route weather before communication with the aircraft was lost while it was still under the control of the Indonesian Air Traffic Control (ATC).
The aircraft had undergone its last scheduled maintenance on 16 November 2014.
AirAsia has established an Emergency Call Centre that is available for family or friends of those who may have been on board the aircraft. The number is: +622129850801.
Originally Posted by gpeso8
I'm in Indonesia right now and local TV is reporting that an emergency exit door was located they are also showing a body in the water (blurred out).
Originally Posted by BBC 30 Dec 2014
Indonesian officials have confirmed that bodies and debris found in the Java Sea off Borneo are from AirAsia flight QZ8501 that went missing on Sunday, a statement by AirAsia says.
The AirAsia statement said the remains were found in the Karimata Strait, south-west of Pangkalan Bun in the Borneo province of Central Kalimantan.
The AirAsia statement said the remains were found in the Karimata Strait, south-west of Pangkalan Bun in the Borneo province of Central Kalimantan.
Originally Posted by Aviation Herald
On Dec 31st 2014 the chairman of Indonesia's Search and Rescue Service stated in an evening press conference, that earlier reports about the fuselage having been located have been incorrect, the search is still ongoing, so far - referring to a report by CNN hitting global headlines - there are no sonar images of the fuselage as well. Correcting other media reports the chairman stressed that none of the bodies recovered so far was wearing a life vest. All valid information concerning QZ-8501 only and only comes from one source, namely the Search and Rescue Service which is currently in charge of the entire operation, the chairman stated with reference to the current information chaos.
AirAsia updates on QZ8501 http://qz8501.airasia.com/index.html
Aviation Herald: http://avherald.com/h?article=47f6abc7
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30620647
Please do not post speculation or unconfirmed information in this wiki or thread.
AirAsia Indonesia QZ8501 SUB to SIN reported missing 0724 Sun 28 Dec 2014
Dec 27, 2014, 7:26 pm
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AirAsia Indonesia QZ8501 FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Note: The FAQ has been generated from some of the most common questions asked by members in this long thread.
The use of various time zones has caused confusion in media and timing of events. Viewers and members are global, so we are using UTC / GMT / Zulu time. Local time is WIB (Waktu Indonesia Barat / Western Indonesia Time, UTC/GMT +7 hours; some reports also use Singapore time. A closer up map of the areas's time zones can be seen below:
Q. What happened to AirAsia Flight QZ8501? What is the timeline for its disappearance?
Originally Posted by Flight Safety Foundation, Aviation Safety Network
An Indonesia AirAsia Airbus A320-216, performing flight QZ8501, went missing over the Java Sea between Surabaya and Singapore. On board (were) 155 passengers and seven crew members.
The flight took off from runway 10 at Surabaya-Juanda Airport (SUB) at 05:35 hours local time 28 Dec 2014 (22:35 27 Dec 2014 UTC). The airplane turned left, tracking 329° over the Java Sea. The planned cruising altitude of FL320 was reached at 05:54. At the same time the airplane turned left to 319°. Ten minutes later the airplane slightly changed course to 310°. Upon entering the Jakarta Flight Information Region (FIR) over the TAVIP waypoint (about 120 nm se of Pulau Belitung in the Java Sea) at 06:12 the flight contacted Jakarta ACC. The flight stated that they were deviating to the left of their planned route along airway M-635 to avoid clouds (the area ids subject to intense storms and is sometimes known as "the Thunderstorm Factory") and requested a climb to FL380. The requested climb was not possible due to other traffic but the flight was cleared to climb to FL340.
According to the Indonesian Ministry of Transport the airplane was still on radar at 06:16 hours (Surabaya time, 23:16 UTC). At 06:17 only the ADS-B signal was visible with the target disappearing at 06:18.
The flight took off from runway 10 at Surabaya-Juanda Airport (SUB) at 05:35 hours local time 28 Dec 2014 (22:35 27 Dec 2014 UTC). The airplane turned left, tracking 329° over the Java Sea. The planned cruising altitude of FL320 was reached at 05:54. At the same time the airplane turned left to 319°. Ten minutes later the airplane slightly changed course to 310°. Upon entering the Jakarta Flight Information Region (FIR) over the TAVIP waypoint (about 120 nm se of Pulau Belitung in the Java Sea) at 06:12 the flight contacted Jakarta ACC. The flight stated that they were deviating to the left of their planned route along airway M-635 to avoid clouds (the area ids subject to intense storms and is sometimes known as "the Thunderstorm Factory") and requested a climb to FL380. The requested climb was not possible due to other traffic but the flight was cleared to climb to FL340.
According to the Indonesian Ministry of Transport the airplane was still on radar at 06:16 hours (Surabaya time, 23:16 UTC). At 06:17 only the ADS-B signal was visible with the target disappearing at 06:18.
Last recorded radar position was S3.3708 E109.6911. Debris and bodies of the aircraft have been located on Dec 30th 2014 in the Java Sea about 110nm from Pulau Belitung, about 10km/5nm from the last radar position. First bodies have been recovered by helicopters. Additional debris has been located 150nm eastsoutheast of Pulau Belitung/100nm southwest of Pangkalan Bun, a shadow on the sea floor of what appears to be the aircraft has been located about 86nm southwest of Pangkalan Bun and 150nm eastsoutheast of Pulau Belitung.
Originally Posted by BBC
: "Indonesia's weather agency says the storm clouds at the time rose to a height of 44,000 ft (13,000m), higher than commercial airliners in the region regularly fly....
The plane was in an area near the equator known for thunderstorms, where trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres intersect. Air France Flight 447, which crashed in the mid-Atlantic in June 2009 killing 228 people, was flying through similar conditions.
The plane was in an area near the equator known for thunderstorms, where trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres intersect. Air France Flight 447, which crashed in the mid-Atlantic in June 2009 killing 228 people, was flying through similar conditions.
Q. How many crew and passengers was QZ8501 carrying? Who were they?
Flight was carrying 155 passengers, 7 crew.
The crew:
6 Indonesian (Captain, 4 Flight Attendants, 1 Engineer / Mechanic)
1 French (First Officer)
from 14 different nationalities:
Flight was carrying 155 passengers, 7 crew.
The crew:
6 Indonesian (Captain, 4 Flight Attendants, 1 Engineer / Mechanic)
1 French (First Officer)
from 14 different nationalities:
- 149 Indonesian people
- 3 Malaysian people
- 1 Singaporean person
- 1 British person
- 1 Malaysian person
including: - 137 adults
- 17 children
- 1 infant
10 people missed their scheduled flight
Q. Who were the pilots of QZ8501? How qualified were they?
Flying as Captain: Captain Iriyanto (an Indonesian national - it's common for many Indonesians to use a single name) had logged over 20,500 flight hours (that's a lot of time) about 6,100 of those with AirAsia. Previously he had flown F-16 fighters for the Indonesian Air Force.
Flying as First Officer: Remi Emmanuel Plesel (French national from Marigot, Martinique) had over 2,275 flight hours logged.
Flying as Captain: Captain Iriyanto (an Indonesian national - it's common for many Indonesians to use a single name) had logged over 20,500 flight hours (that's a lot of time) about 6,100 of those with AirAsia. Previously he had flown F-16 fighters for the Indonesian Air Force.
Flying as First Officer: Remi Emmanuel Plesel (French national from Marigot, Martinique) had over 2,275 flight hours logged.
Q. What about the Airbus A320 family of aircraft; is it safe? What about this particular A320-216?
The Airbus A320 series aircraft are operated by a Captain and First Officer.
The A320 and AirAsia Indonesia are considered to have good safety records. AirAsia Indonesia has not experienced any aircraft losses until now.
In its history, the A320 has experienced 27 losses of of 3,819 A320 aircraft built. The AirAsia Indonesia Airbus A320-216, PK-AXC, Y180 configuration (MSN 3648, first flight 25 Sep 2008) was fitted with two CFMI CFM56-5B6/3 engines. Airframe time was ~23,000 hours total time, and had completed 13,600 cycles (flights from takeoff to landing). The aircraft had undergone its last scheduled maintenance on 16 November 2014.
The Airbus A320 series aircraft are operated by a Captain and First Officer.
The A320 and AirAsia Indonesia are considered to have good safety records. AirAsia Indonesia has not experienced any aircraft losses until now.
In its history, the A320 has experienced 27 losses of of 3,819 A320 aircraft built. The AirAsia Indonesia Airbus A320-216, PK-AXC, Y180 configuration (MSN 3648, first flight 25 Sep 2008) was fitted with two CFMI CFM56-5B6/3 engines. Airframe time was ~23,000 hours total time, and had completed 13,600 cycles (flights from takeoff to landing). The aircraft had undergone its last scheduled maintenance on 16 November 2014.
What is next?
Search and recovery of bodies is a priority (some 40 bodies have already been recovered), and recovery of the "black box" (Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder) is also high priority so the data can be analyzed and causative factors can be determined. At this time, 21 divers are involved in "black box" recovery, and a towed pinger locator is being deployed to find the "black box" if it has become detached from the aircraft.
Search and recovery of bodies is a priority (some 40 bodies have already been recovered), and recovery of the "black box" (Cockpit Voice Recorder and Flight Data Recorder) is also high priority so the data can be analyzed and causative factors can be determined. At this time, 21 divers are involved in "black box" recovery, and a towed pinger locator is being deployed to find the "black box" if it has become detached from the aircraft.
Q. What is the "black box", how long does it remain on and is it separately powered?
A. The "black box" consists of two bright orange (for easier finding) "boxes": the CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder), which records the last two hours of cockpit sounds; the FDR (Flight Data Recorder) records certain flight data for a period of 25 hours (minima). The entire device is powered by a separate battery and it remains powered for nearly a month. It is generally located in the tail area of the aircraft for protection and can not be turned off with normal means.
The "black box" must be able to survive 3,400 Gs (3,400 times the force of gravity), acceleration, and survive temperatures of 2,000 F / 1,093 C for one hour and pressures to 20,000 ft / 6,096 m of saltwater (there are a few locations deeper than that). The beacon signal is emitted once per second; the signals may become weaker if it falls into topographical features like underwater canyons.
The QZ8501 "black box" is presumed to lie in up to ~35 / ~115 feet at this time, if it is still attached to the aircraft. At this depth, it is diver recoverable.
If the "black box" separated from the aircraft, underwater locaters will be used to trace the beacon signal "pings" emanated automatically by the recorder assembly.
A. The "black box" consists of two bright orange (for easier finding) "boxes": the CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder), which records the last two hours of cockpit sounds; the FDR (Flight Data Recorder) records certain flight data for a period of 25 hours (minima). The entire device is powered by a separate battery and it remains powered for nearly a month. It is generally located in the tail area of the aircraft for protection and can not be turned off with normal means.
The "black box" must be able to survive 3,400 Gs (3,400 times the force of gravity), acceleration, and survive temperatures of 2,000 F / 1,093 C for one hour and pressures to 20,000 ft / 6,096 m of saltwater (there are a few locations deeper than that). The beacon signal is emitted once per second; the signals may become weaker if it falls into topographical features like underwater canyons.
The QZ8501 "black box" is presumed to lie in up to ~35 / ~115 feet at this time, if it is still attached to the aircraft. At this depth, it is diver recoverable.
If the "black box" separated from the aircraft, underwater locaters will be used to trace the beacon signal "pings" emanated automatically by the recorder assembly.
What is this "ADS-B" they speak of?
The aircraft was equipped with ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast). ADS-B signals ceased being received within two minutes after last contact to the aircraft.
The aircraft was equipped with ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast). ADS-B signals ceased being received within two minutes after last contact to the aircraft.
Q. What is "radar" and how does it work?
A. "RADAR is short for Radio Detection and Ranging. Three kinds of "radar" come into play here.
Aircraft have weather radar capable of detecting storm cells, etc. by sending out directed radio signals that are reflected back to a receiver that interprets the data to display range, density and breadth. Pilots use the information in determining routing and routing changes.
Primary radar is basically a transmitted electronic burst that is reflected by dense objects. The reflection is translated into a "blip" that is displayed on a screen that shows direction distance and in most instances altitude. The radar sets in this instance have a range of approximately 120 mi / 193 km (depending on weather, size and shape of aircraft, etc.) Primary radar is "noncooperative" - the radar will show all aircraft, but has no identification feature to discern which individual aircraft is being "painted" if no further information is known.
Secondary radar is a "cooperative" system. A pulse is sent from a secondary antenna to the aircraft and gets the aircraft's transponder to reply with coded information, set by the pilots, that identify the specific aircraft to ground controllers.
A. "RADAR is short for Radio Detection and Ranging. Three kinds of "radar" come into play here.
Aircraft have weather radar capable of detecting storm cells, etc. by sending out directed radio signals that are reflected back to a receiver that interprets the data to display range, density and breadth. Pilots use the information in determining routing and routing changes.
Primary radar is basically a transmitted electronic burst that is reflected by dense objects. The reflection is translated into a "blip" that is displayed on a screen that shows direction distance and in most instances altitude. The radar sets in this instance have a range of approximately 120 mi / 193 km (depending on weather, size and shape of aircraft, etc.) Primary radar is "noncooperative" - the radar will show all aircraft, but has no identification feature to discern which individual aircraft is being "painted" if no further information is known.
Secondary radar is a "cooperative" system. A pulse is sent from a secondary antenna to the aircraft and gets the aircraft's transponder to reply with coded information, set by the pilots, that identify the specific aircraft to ground controllers.
Who was searching? Who was in charge?
The search is headed by the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) and the Indonesian military. Approximately 30 vessels (three war vessels), 20 aircraft including several Lockheed P-3 Orion antisubmarine and patrol aircraft and Lockheed C-130 transports, took part; the US Navy was asked to send help and it dispatched the destroyer USS Sampson to the area. They searched an area pf approximately 34,000 km sq. Australia, Cina, France, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, USA have been involved.
The search is headed by the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) and the Indonesian military. Approximately 30 vessels (three war vessels), 20 aircraft including several Lockheed P-3 Orion antisubmarine and patrol aircraft and Lockheed C-130 transports, took part; the US Navy was asked to send help and it dispatched the destroyer USS Sampson to the area. They searched an area pf approximately 34,000 km sq. Australia, Cina, France, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, USA have been involved.
Q. What is a "transponder"?
A transponder is basically a radio, originally called "Identification Friend or Foe " and "Selective Identification Feature" used by the military to receive a "code" that identified "friendly" aircraft - and by airlines / air traffic control to identify specific aircraft. The transponder can be set to "squawk" (broadcast) specific codes (or to respond to ground "interrogation" activating signals) to the ground or to airborne receivers. Pilots need to be able to change codes and even to turn off a transponder on the ground or during specific flight conditions.
A transponder is basically a radio, originally called "Identification Friend or Foe " and "Selective Identification Feature" used by the military to receive a "code" that identified "friendly" aircraft - and by airlines / air traffic control to identify specific aircraft. The transponder can be set to "squawk" (broadcast) specific codes (or to respond to ground "interrogation" activating signals) to the ground or to airborne receivers. Pilots need to be able to change codes and even to turn off a transponder on the ground or during specific flight conditions.
Q. Some have posted the aircraft was possibly being "flown on autopilot"; is that significant?
Not much. Though an aircraft's Flight Management Systems (FMS), which include the Flight Management Computer, are generally programmed by flight personnel on the ground, well-qualified pilots can change the programming using the CDU (Control Display Unit) for various reasons, disconnect the system from aircraft control inputs and "hand-fly" for various reasons. Link to more information on the FMS.
Not much. Though an aircraft's Flight Management Systems (FMS), which include the Flight Management Computer, are generally programmed by flight personnel on the ground, well-qualified pilots can change the programming using the CDU (Control Display Unit) for various reasons, disconnect the system from aircraft control inputs and "hand-fly" for various reasons. Link to more information on the FMS.
OTHER RESOURCES
Resources listed are generally reliable and offer free access (you may be required to watch an advertisement).
LINKS
AirAsia company profile: http://www.airasia.com/my/en/about-u...e-profile.page
AirAsia updates on QZ8501 http://qz8501.airasia.com/index.html
Aviation Herald: http://avherald.com/h?article=47f6abc7
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-30620647
NOTE: Facts stated here are to the best of our knowledge and reliant on the accuracy of outside sources. Opinions are those of the FAQ writers and do not reflect any official position of FlyerTalk or Internet Brands.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 31, 2014 at 9:50 am Reason: update / add
Dec 27, 2014, 8:23 pm
#2
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Posts: 103
AirAsia Indonesia QZ8501 SUB to SIN reported missing 0724 Sun 28 Dec 2014
News only in bahasa for now
http://m.detik.com/news/read/2014/12...-hilang-kontak
https://id.berita.yahoo.com/pesawat-...--finance.html
Crossing fingers that it will be found soon.
http://m.detik.com/news/read/2014/12...-hilang-kontak
https://id.berita.yahoo.com/pesawat-...--finance.html
Crossing fingers that it will be found soon.
Dec 27, 2014, 8:32 pm
#3
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AirAsia Indonesia QZ8501 SUB to SIN loses contact with ATC 0700 28 Dec 2014
http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/air-asi...212413?ref=rss
Being reported in Indonesia. Multiple outlets preliminary information.
http://inagist.com/all/549041737688449024/
Being reported in Indonesia. Multiple outlets preliminary information.
http://inagist.com/all/549041737688449024/
Dec 27, 2014, 8:33 pm
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English language sources starting to pick it up:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102297363#.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102297363#.
Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa said the aircraft, flight number QZ8501, lost contact with the Jakarta air traffic control tower at 6:17 a.m local time. (2317 GMT).
He said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.
He said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact.
Dec 27, 2014, 8:40 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 35
AirAsia QZ8501 reported to have lost contact en route to Singapore
Korean news sources are reporting that authorities have lost contact with AirAsia QZ8501 en route to Singapore. Anybody have more information?
http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/internat...?template=2087
http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/internat...?template=2087
Dec 27, 2014, 8:41 pm
#6
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Flightaware doesn't show any Air Asia flights on this route.
Dec 27, 2014, 8:43 pm
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Some outlets in the second link say the plane requested an "unusual" route just before contact was lost.
A320 162 people onboard per CNN report.
A320 162 people onboard per CNN report.
Last edited by Mr. Vker; Dec 27, 2014 at 8:54 pm
Dec 27, 2014, 8:49 pm
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Dec 27, 2014, 8:54 pm
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AirAsia statement:
Seems unlikely this loss of contact is a temporary event due to weather, etc., since it's well past 7:24am local time at this point on that side of the world.
Hopefully the plane will be found safe and sound at some diversion airport.
Appears from some initial pictures appearing on twitter that the area they were flying through had some very severe weather at the time which would explain the request for an unusual route
AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control at 07:24hrs this morning.
At the present time we unfortunately have no further information regarding the status of the passengers and crew members on board, but we will keep all parties informed as more information becomes available.
The aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC.
At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and AirAsia is cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service.
At the present time we unfortunately have no further information regarding the status of the passengers and crew members on board, but we will keep all parties informed as more information becomes available.
The aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC.
At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and AirAsia is cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service.
Hopefully the plane will be found safe and sound at some diversion airport.
Appears from some initial pictures appearing on twitter that the area they were flying through had some very severe weather at the time which would explain the request for an unusual route