Different countries are currently performing a massive search and rescue operation for the AirAsia Flight QZ8501 despite the harsh weather conditions. The AirAsia Airbus A320-200 PK-AXC was expected to reach Singapore from Surabaya around 8:30AM Sunday however air traffic control has not been able to contact the plane since 6:17AM Sunday.
The air traffic control in Java lost radio and radar contact with the plane just minutes after the pilot requested for a slight change in the plane's flight path due to bad weather issues. However, searchers are still unable to find traces of the aircraft. The government of Indonesia has already asked help from other countries to help their retrieval efforts. Australia and Malaysia has already responded to Indonesia's plight and has already sent search troops to the last known coordinates of the aircraft. Indonesia has also called out to the United Kingdom, United States and France that their top of the line sonar technology will be a great help in searching underwater. Despite the horrific event that has befallen AirAsia, the company resumed its operation on Monday.
According to air traffic control accounts in Java, one of the pilot of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 asked for a change to its flights course stating his intentions to climb to 38,000 feet from 32,000 to avoid harsh weather conditions, air traffic control gave the pilot permission to turn to the left but denied the request to ascent to a higher altitude due to the fact that a plane is already cruising in that altitude. Weather agencies show that a thunderstorm was right on the path of the Flight QZ8501.
Official airport and AirAsia documents reveal that 162 people are on board AirAsia Flight QZ8501. Reports indicated that eighteen of the passengers are children, along with one infant and the airline company declared that the aircraft has seven crew members.
Upon receiving the dreadful news, families of the passengers have had a closed door meeting with AirAsia and Indonesian officials at the Surabayan airport.
