Authorities Narrow Search for EgyptAir Flight 804
Joe Cortez May 26, 2016
Satellite technology narrows search area to three miles after signs of black boxes found.
Egyptian authorities say satellite technology has located the area where EgyptAir Flight 804 may have crashed and ships specially outfitted with deep water search technology are rushing to join the investigation. The Wall Street Journal reports the new discovery has narrowed the location to within three miles.
The newspaper quotes Egyptian air accident investigation chief Ayman al-Moqadem, who told Egypt’s Al Ahram the emergency signals were discovered by satellite. According to Reuters, the discovery may have been aided by radar data and air traffic control recordings turned over by Greece.
In light of the new development, Egyptian authorities have contracted French firm ASLEAMAR to help locate the exact location of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder. Ahram Online, the English-language version of Al Ahram, reports a second company could also join in the search as well. The contracted teams will use specialized technologies, including hydrophones, in their attempt to locate the Airbus A320 data recorders, which could lie nearly 10,000 feet below the ocean surface.
While the wreckage has not yet been located, authorities are working to determine what happened prior to the aircraft falling off radar screens and out of the sky. In a technical log obtained by Ahram Online, the aircraft was given a clean report while at Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) prior to departure.
Once in flight, the Egyptian newspaper reports the aircraft began sending warnings from the aircraft communications addressing and reporting system. Prior to the aircraft dropping off radar screens, the A320 allegedly sent a notice that the temperature increased around the cockpit of the aircraft. Other alleged messages sent by the aircraft and published by The Aviation Herald include warnings of smoke in the lavatory. In a statement, Airbus noted the messages were not enough to speculate on what brought the aircraft down.
MS804 crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday, May 19. With the previous discovery of human remains, all 66 people aboard the aircraft are presumed killed.
[Photo: Egyptian Armed Forces]
