Lion Air Flight JT610, A Boeing 737 MAX 8, Crashes Into Sea off of Java

Boeing delivered its very first 737 MAX 9 to Thai Lion Air. The MAX 9's extra capacity will help the airline add several international routes. (PRNewsfoto/Boeing)

Lion Air Flight JT610 has crashed off the coast of the Indonesian island of Java. The plane, a Boeing 737 Max 8, had been carrying 189 people and had suffered a technical issue prior to the deadly crash. There are expected to be no survivors. This is the first incident involving a Boeing 737 Max.

A Lion Air flight carrying 189 people has crashed into the sea off of the Indonesian island of Java, The Guardian reports. Lion Air Flight JT610 was carrying 189 people at the time of the incident, which occurred at about 06:30 a.m. local time on Monday. The plane, a Boeing 737 Max 8, had been in service for under three months and had just begun its departure from Jakarta to the Indonesian city of Pangkal Pinang when it crashed.

Indonesian authorities have said that there are expected to be no survivors.

According to the outlet, the flight, “…lost contact with air traffic control about 13 minutes after it took off, shortly after its pilot had asked to return to base. Flight data showed it made a sudden, sharp dive into the sea.”

Though the cause of the crash has not yet been determined, the BBC reports that this plane had been hit by a technical issue on Sunday. “A technical log obtained by the BBC from the plane’s previous flight suggests that the airspeed reading on the captain’s instrument was unreliable, and the altitude readings differed on the captain’s and first officer’s instruments,” the outlet states.

Edward Sirait, the chief executive of low-cost carrier Lion Air, confirmed that the craft had suffered some kind of “technical issue” during a previous flight from Bali to Jakarta, but said that it had been “resolved”, reports the outlet.

In a statement on its website, Lion Air said, “We are very concerned about the incident and will continue to coordinate with all parties to accelerate information certainty regarding the situation of passengers and crew. Lion Air will continue to deliver the latest information according to further developments.”

Offering its comments, Boeing stated that it, “…is deeply saddened by the loss of Lion Air Flight JT610. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those on board. Boeing is providing technical assistance at the request and under the direction of government authorities investigating the accident.”

The is reported to be the first deadly incident involving the 737 Max.

[Photo: PRNewsfoto/Boeing]