Newly released data from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirms that China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 was deliberately crashed in March 2022, killing all 132 people on board. The Boeing 737-800, en route from Kunming to Guangzhou, plunged into a mountain in Guangxi province after both engines were manually shut off mid-flight.
The NTSB report, obtained via a freedom of information request, reveals that while cruising at 29,000 feet, the fuel switches on both engines were moved from the 'run' to 'cut-off' position. The flight data recorder captured a struggle between pilots, with opposing movements on the control yokes—one attempting to recover the aircraft while another forced it into a dive. No distress call or emergency transponder signal was transmitted before impact.
Key Findings from Flight Data
The NTSB confirmed that the fuel switches were manually placed in the off position just before the crash, with no indication of an attempt to restart the engines. Aviation safety analyst David Soucie noted that if the switches were turned off in error, pilots would have tried to reactivate them. The flight data recorder stopped recording shortly after the fuel cut-off.
Chinese Authorities’ Response
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has not publicly addressed the cause of the crash, despite international scrutiny. The incident remains one of the most politically sensitive aviation cases in modern Chinese history, with accusations of information suppression amid calls for transparency.
International Implications
The NTSB’s involvement stems from Boeing being a US aircraft manufacturer. The findings raise questions about cockpit security protocols and mental health screening for pilots. Aviation experts have emphasized the rarity of such deliberate crashes, with most incidents involving mechanical failure or human error rather than intentional actions.
Ongoing Investigations
While the NTSB’s data provides strong evidence of deliberate action, the full investigation remains under Chinese jurisdiction. The lack of official commentary from Beijing has fueled speculation about potential cover-ups, though no concrete evidence supports these claims.
The crash remains a tragic and unresolved case, with families of the victims seeking answers nearly two years later.