Some AirAsia victims found belted in seats

[Lite Beer]

Some AirAsia victims found belted in seats
ROBIN McDOWELL, Associated Press

PANGKALAN BUN, Indonesia (AP) — After nearly a week of searching for the victims of AirAsia Flight 8501, rescue teams battling monsoon rains had their most successful day yet on Friday, more than tripling the number of bodies pulled from the Java Sea, some still strapped to their seats.

Of the 30 corpses recovered so far, 21 were found on Friday, many of them by a U.S. Navy ship, according to officials.

The Airbus A320 carrying 162 passengers and crew went down Sunday, halfway into a flight from Surabaya, Indonesia's second-largest city, to Singapore. Minutes before losing contact, the pilot told air-traffic control he was approaching threatening clouds, but was denied permission to climb to a higher altitude because of heavy air traffic.

It remains unclear what caused the plane to plunge into the sea. The accident was AirAsia's first since it began operations in 2001, quickly becoming one of the region's most popular low-cost carriers.

In addition to looking for victims, Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo said ships from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the U.S. are scouring the ocean floor as they try to pinpoint wreckage and the all-important black boxes.

The data recorder contains crucial information like engine temperature and vertical and horizontal speed; the voice recorder saves conversations between pilots and other sounds coming from inside the cockpit.

Toos Saniotoso, an Indonesian air safety investigator, said investigators "are looking at every aspect" as they try to determine why the plane crashed. "From the operational side, the human factor, the technical side, the ATC (air-traffic control) — everything is valuable to us."

Bad weather, which has hindered the search for the past several days, remained a worry. A drizzle and light clouds covered the area Friday morning, but rain, strong winds and high waves up to 4 meters (13 feet) were forecast until Sunday. Strong sea currents have also kept debris moving.

That has severely slowed recovery efforts, as well, as bodies drift farther and farther away.

Col. Yayan Sofiyan, commander of the warship Bung Tomo, told MetroTV his vessel managed to pull seven bodies from the choppy waters on Friday, five still fastened in their seats.

Soelistyo, who was only able to confirm two victims in their seats, said a total of 30 bodies have been recovered.

More than a third have been pulled out by a U.S. Navy ship, the USS Sampson.

Soelistyo pledged to recover the bodies of "our brothers and sisters ... whatever conditions we face."

Four crash victims have been identified and returned to their families, including a flight attendant and a 12-year-old boy.

After prayers on Friday, the holiest day of the week for Muslims, more than 200 people gathered at a mosque in Surabaya to remember the victims.

"We pray that the passengers in this AirAsia tragedy will be received by Allah," the imam said, "and that all their sins will be forgiven by Allah."

___

Associated Press writers Niniek Karmini, Ali Kotarumalos and Margie Mason in Jakarta and Eileen Ng in Surabaya, Indonesia contributed to this report.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-01-02

[Sirpia]

Fair to say that they weren't conscious after a controlled and successful sea ditching.

One would also presume that the seats didn't float away from an almost intact fuselage.

Whether it broke up in the air or upon ditching is the next question.

[tigermonkey]

Just being reported on Twitter that AirAsia has had their route permit frozen/revoked for Surabaya - Singapore

"Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS
Just heard Indo Air Asia route permit for Surabaya to Singapore has been frozen/revoked by Indo govt. Ouch! #QZ8501
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TunasKelapa ‏@ArvinTunas
@GerryS On what ground?
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Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS 21m21 minutes ago
@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

One really has to wonder about the timing of this action. It looks like an attempt to blacken the name of AirAsia Unfortunately, the Indonesian government has a history of similar action, and placing themselves in an adversarial position to the airline involved. It's almost 8 years to the day since the crash of Adam Air 574, after which Indonesia instigated a highly acrimonious relationship with the airline throughout the investigation.

[tigermonkey]

Fair to say that they weren't conscious after a controlled and successful sea ditching.

One would also presume that the seats didn't float away from an almost intact fuselage.

Whether it broke up in the air or upon ditching is the next question.

I hope that this helps to bring some form of closure for the relatives/friends of the passengers. It makes it clear that there is virtually no chance of survivors and that there was probably no long-term suffering. I hope it helps them all to move on from this tragedy.

[Sirpia]

If I had a relative on board, it would certainly bring some peace of mind if they were found still fastened in their seat.

[F430murci]

Just being reported on Twitter that AirAsia has had their route permit frozen/revoked for Surabaya - Singapore

"Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS

Just heard Indo Air Asia route permit for Surabaya to Singapore has been frozen/revoked by Indo govt. Ouch! #QZ8501

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TunasKelapa ‏@ArvinTunas

@GerryS On what ground?

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Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS 21m21 minutes ago

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

One really has to wonder about the timing of this action. It looks like an attempt to blacken the name of AirAsia Unfortunately, the Indonesian government has a history of similar action, and placing themselves in an adversarial position to the airline involved. It's almost 8 years to the day since the crash of Adam Air 574, after which Indonesia instigated a highly acrimonious relationship with the airline throughout the investigation.

Air Asia apparently did not have permit to fly that route on Sundays. Break a rule and face consequences, especially if a crash.

[Sirpia]

Wonder how that might affect their insurance.

[F430murci]

Wonder how that might affect their insurance.

Good question. I am sure there are exclusions written into policy that might be applicable.

[F430murci]

Really good question actually about insurance. That could bankrupt the airline if only licensed and approved routes were covered.

[NanLaew]

Just being reported on Twitter that AirAsia has had their route permit frozen/revoked for Surabaya - Singapore

"Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS

Just heard Indo Air Asia route permit for Surabaya to Singapore has been frozen/revoked by Indo govt. Ouch! #QZ8501

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TunasKelapa ‏@ArvinTunas

@GerryS On what ground?

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Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS 21m21 minutes ago

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

One really has to wonder about the timing of this action. It looks like an attempt to blacken the name of AirAsia Unfortunately, the Indonesian government has a history of similar action, and placing themselves in an adversarial position to the airline involved. It's almost 8 years to the day since the crash of Adam Air 574, after which Indonesia instigated a highly acrimonious relationship with the airline throughout the investigation.

Air Asia apparently did not have permit to fly that route on Sundays. Break a rule and face consequences, especially if a crash.

Not according to AirAsia website. QZ8501 operates on Monday, Friday and Sunday. They also have 3 other flights listed for Sundays.

I really doubt that an airline can fly an 'extra' flight outwith their permitted slots with the airport and local regulatory authorities being unaware of the 'legality' of that flight until after the fact. There's no denying that LCC operators would incur losses outwith their budgeted cost/flight if an aircraft was delayed due to a technical issue on a previous leg. Maybe they had a weather or technical delayed flight that departed late and this increased a daily flight count? If that happened, maybe an administrative oversight but really doubt that it would invoke any loss of insurance coverage and totally unrelated to the plane crashing.

[NeverSure]

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

If they took off without filing a flight plan and getting permission, I'd say they are screwed. I hope that isn't true.

[Gulfsailor]

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

If they took off without filing a flight plan and getting permission, I'd say they are screwed. I hope that isn't true.

In that case both the tower and ATC should have objected as both are government controlled in Indonesia and should be well aware. You can't just take up a commercial jet in Indonesia without the necessary permissions. They'll force/shoot you down if they have to.

[F430murci]

Just being reported on Twitter that AirAsia has had their route permit frozen/revoked for Surabaya - Singapore

"Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS

Just heard Indo Air Asia route permit for Surabaya to Singapore has been frozen/revoked by Indo govt. Ouch! #QZ8501

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TunasKelapa ‏@ArvinTunas

@GerryS On what ground?

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Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS 21m21 minutes ago

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

One really has to wonder about the timing of this action. It looks like an attempt to blacken the name of AirAsia Unfortunately, the Indonesian government has a history of similar action, and placing themselves in an adversarial position to the airline involved. It's almost 8 years to the day since the crash of Adam Air 574, after which Indonesia instigated a highly acrimonious relationship with the airline throughout the investigation.

Air Asia apparently did not have permit to fly that route on Sundays. Break a rule and face consequences, especially if a crash.

Not according to AirAsia website. QZ8501 operates on Monday, Friday and Sunday. They also have 3 other flights listed for Sundays.

I really doubt that an airline can fly an 'extra' flight outwith their permitted slots with the airport and local regulatory authorities being unaware of the 'legality' of that flight until after the fact. There's no denying that LCC operators would incur losses outwith their budgeted cost/flight if an aircraft was delayed due to a technical issue on a previous leg. Maybe they had a weather or technical delayed flight that departed late and this increased a daily flight count? If that happened, maybe an administrative oversight but really doubt that it would invoke any loss of insurance coverage and totally unrelated to the plane crashing.

I guess the question based on the below is whether these are winter months.

Google translation:

By virtue of a DGCA No. AU.008 / 30/6 / DRJU.DAU - 2014 dated October 24, 2014 regarding permission Foreign Flight Period Winter 2014/2015 , Surabaya - Singapore route given to Indonesia AirAsia is Monday, Tuesday , Thursday and Saturday .

http://bisniskeuanga...apura.Dibekukan

[smedly]

Fair to say that they weren't conscious after a controlled and successful sea ditching.

One would also presume that the seats didn't float away from an almost intact fuselage.

Whether it broke up in the air or upon ditching is the next question.

there were families still sitting in their seats on the ground after the downing of MH17 in the Ukraine after it was shot down by a Russian BUK ground to air missile system

[Loles]

The silly gossip just started.

For people and media is not enough this tragedy, need something new bulls t to sale more advertising, and the plebs eats everything.

Really sad.

[bra]

Approval from Singapore CAAS would also be required for that schedule, and would have received the flight plan and apparently had no objections in principle. The controllers from both countries were coordinating the level change request just prior to the loss of communications and surveillance data.

As with the Malaysians and MH 370 where there were several contradictory statements, the Indonesians should restrict comments to one Government spokesperson, preferably experienced in the media. Of course many officials and politicians cant resist the publicity. At least the Indonesian President made one statement on the day of the occurrence, then told everyone get on to do their job and then stayed out of it.

As to some bodies just floating on the surface and some being still strapped to their seats that would depend on what happened when the aircraft fuselage impacted the water. We wont know more until the wreckage is found and the Flight Data and Cockpit Voice recorders are analysed.

[notmyself]

If I had a relative on board, it would certainly bring some peace of mind if they were found still fastened in their seat.

Some also had life jackets on according to news the other day. What a terrible incident.

[Lex Talionis]

Does anybody really believe that an Airbus could take off from an international airport without a flight plan or permission? Let's try and keep it real here.

Any "news" gotten from Twitter is barely a cut hair above gossip. Maybe a cut hair below would be more apt. The "Information age". Gotta love it!

[Torrens54]

More trouble ahead for Air Asia?

The BBC reports the carrier was NOT Licensed to fly that route on SUNDAYS. This could now present all manner of difficulties when the airline attempts to lodge an Insurance claim.

[Lite Beer]

AirAsia QZ8501: Search teams find bodies in seats

It's been almost a week since AirAsia flight QZ8501 went missing but recovery teams have yet to locate the black box flight recorders, though they have recovered 30 bodies, including some strapped in their seats, and spotted debris resembling parts of the tail, according to The Star Online.

Indonesian navy picked up at least five bodies wearing seat belts and found the debris by sonar, Colonel Yayan Sofiyan, commander of the warship Bung Tomo, told MetroTV.

“Our team found what we suspect is a fraction of the aircraft tail,” The colonel said on Friday. “It was at the bottom of the sea, at 29 meters deep.”

Mr Bambang Soelistyo, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas), told media on Friday night that it has yet to confirm if the object is part of the tail. Oil spill was also found in the red zone which has been given priority in the search. The zone is close to Kumai Bay.

Of the 30 bodies recovered, four have been identified. Police said three Indonesians, including stewardess Khairunnisa Haidar, passengers Grayson Herbert Linaksita and Kevin Alexander Soetjipto, were identified based on their fingerprints and medical records. It came after the identity of passenger Hayati Lutfiah Hami was confirmed.

International experts from France, Singapore and Indonesia equipped with sophisticated acoustic detection gear joined the teams at the suspected crash site off Borneo, bolstering the search for the Airbus A320-200’s black box flight recorders.

But strong wind and heavy seas was again hindering divers’ search for the fuselage of the plane, which went down on Sunday en route from Indonesia’s second-biggest city Surabaya to Singapore with 162 people on board. No survivors have been found.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/airasia-qz8501-search-teams-find-bodies-seats

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-03

[Nemesis7]

Let's hope and pray the rescue teams locates and recover all the bodies and returns them to their families and pray for the families to bare the shock of irrecoverable loss.

[bdenner]

Does anybody really believe that an Airbus could take off from an international airport without a flight plan or permission? Let's try and keep it real here.

Any "news" gotten from Twitter is barely a cut hair above gossip. Maybe a cut hair below would be more apt. The "Information age". Gotta love it!

Correct! See here to get current, up to date information on this and other aviation related incidents.

http://avherald.com/h?article=47f6abc7&opt=0

[krisb]

Just being reported on Twitter that AirAsia has had their route permit frozen/revoked for Surabaya - Singapore

"Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS

Just heard Indo Air Asia route permit for Surabaya to Singapore has been frozen/revoked by Indo govt. Ouch! #QZ8501

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TunasKelapa ‏@ArvinTunas

@GerryS On what ground?

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Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS 21m21 minutes ago

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

One really has to wonder about the timing of this action. It looks like an attempt to blacken the name of AirAsia Unfortunately, the Indonesian government has a history of similar action, and placing themselves in an adversarial position to the airline involved. It's almost 8 years to the day since the crash of Adam Air 574, after which Indonesia instigated a highly acrimonious relationship with the airline throughout the investigation.

Air Asia apparently did not have permit to fly that route on Sundays. Break a rule and face consequences, especially if a crash.

Got a link for that please?

[krisb]

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

If they took off without filing a flight plan and getting permission, I'd say they are screwed. I hope that isn't true.

More speculation I think.

I doubt the claims.

It's not like they would have decided to just take off.

[sunshine51]

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

If they took off without filing a flight plan and getting permission, I'd say they are screwed. I hope that isn't true.

In that case both the tower and ATC should have objected as both are government controlled in Indonesia and should be well aware. You can't just take up a commercial jet in Indonesia without the necessary permissions. They'll force/shoot you down if they have to.

No flight plan...No Fly. Simple as that...no if's, and's or but's about it. Applies to civil & military aviation.

The aircraft was not stolen or hijacked so that cannot be a possibility either. The FP was filed, The clearance given by ATC, QZ8501 with 162 SOB went flying.

Edited January 3, 2015 by Scott

[sunshine51]

Todays weather in the search area.

Look on the left side of the centre of the pic,

find Singapore, then look down at about the

five o'clock position.

Image from...

http://www.cabooltureweather.com/SatPics-MTSat.asp?Units=C

[ExPratt]

I dont believe that will be of much comfort to anyone. If the plane breaks up you'll be gone in pretty much seconds and still strapped into your seat

If the plane hits the water in tact , then you'd have to go through a rather uncomfortable few minutes wondering if you will live or die

[alex8912]

"More than a third have been pulled out by a U.S. NAVY SHIP, USS SAMPSON" I find it very interesting on TVF whenever a ship or anything for that matter is somewhere around Asia from the USA and all the American bashers come out in full force yet when I read news events all the time like this not a peep. That is my definition of pathetic.

[rickirs]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Just being reported on Twitter that AirAsia has had their route permit frozen/revoked for Surabaya - Singapore
"Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS
Just heard Indo Air Asia route permit for Surabaya to Singapore has been frozen/revoked by Indo govt. Ouch! #QZ8501
0 replies 11 retweets 2 favorites
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TunasKelapa ‏@ArvinTunas
@GerryS On what ground?
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Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS 21m21 minutes ago
@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."


http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

One really has to wonder about the timing of this action. It looks like an attempt to blacken the name of AirAsia Unfortunately, the Indonesian government has a history of similar action, and placing themselves in an adversarial position to the airline involved. It's almost 8 years to the day since the crash of Adam Air 574, after which Indonesia instigated a highly acrimonious relationship with the airline throughout the investigation.

Air Asia apparently did not have permit to fly that route on Sundays. Break a rule and face consequences, especially if a crash.

I doubt any flight permit has any effect on weather. Nature follows its own "rules." It appears the pilot chose to risk his passengers by flying into dangerous weather conditions and belatedly decided to return. That flight should never have departed because of weather conditions. Perhaps during winter months that route should be banned entirely. There will be higher tickets prices from more fuel usage but less deaths.

[F430murci]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Just being reported on Twitter that AirAsia has had their route permit frozen/revoked for Surabaya - Singapore

"Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS

Just heard Indo Air Asia route permit for Surabaya to Singapore has been frozen/revoked by Indo govt. Ouch! #QZ8501

0 replies 11 retweets 2 favorites

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TunasKelapa ‏@ArvinTunas

@GerryS On what ground?

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Gerry Soejatman ‏@GerryS 21m21 minutes ago

@ArvinTunas they said Air Asia flew more than it was permitted to and didnt ask for changes or extra flights."

http://twitrpix.com/c7pmu

One really has to wonder about the timing of this action. It looks like an attempt to blacken the name of AirAsia Unfortunately, the Indonesian government has a history of similar action, and placing themselves in an adversarial position to the airline involved. It's almost 8 years to the day since the crash of Adam Air 574, after which Indonesia instigated a highly acrimonious relationship with the airline throughout the investigation.

Air Asia apparently did not have permit to fly that route on Sundays. Break a rule and face consequences, especially if a crash.

I doubt any flight permit has any effect on weather. Nature follows its own "rules." It appears the pilot chose to risk his passengers by flying into dangerous weather conditions and belatedly decided to return. That flight should never have departed because of weather conditions. Perhaps during winter months that route should be banned entirely. There will be higher tickets prices from more fuel usage but less deaths.

Of course it does not have any impact on weather. The issue you raised was revoking license for route. I merely suggested a possible reason for that decision.