Newly released data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggests that someone intentionally cut off fuel to both engines of a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 before it crashed into a mountain in 2022, killing all 132 people aboard. The NTSB report, released in response to a public records request, analyzed the flight data recorder and found evidence of a cockpit struggle during the final moments of the flight.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The NTSB report confirms that both engines were shut off and the plane entered a steep nosedive and a 360-degree roll. The data indicates that the fuel levers, which are designed to prevent accidental shutdowns, were deliberately moved to the cutoff position. The cockpit voice recorder allegedly captured screams, rapid breathing, and sounds resembling an argument or physical struggle in the final 18 seconds before the crash. There were three people in the cockpit at the time: the captain, the first officer, and an observing pilot.
Deeper Dive & Context
Investigation Details
The NTSB became involved in the investigation because the plane and engines were manufactured by American companies. The NTSB is regarded as a leading expert in analyzing black boxes after crashes. The report, dated July 1, 2022, was released on May 1, but the first news stories on it only emerged this week. Aviation safety experts agree that the data shows the fuel was cut off intentionally, but the exact sequence of events remains unclear.
Chinese Investigation
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has yet to release its final report on the crash, which occurred on March 21, 2022. International standards call for investigators to release their report within roughly a year of a crash. The delay in the CAAC's report has raised questions about the transparency of the investigation.
Technical Analysis
John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems, noted that the fuel levers in a Boeing 737 lock into place, making it unlikely that they were shut off accidentally. The flight data recorder stopped recording while the plane was still at 26,000 feet, but the 12 minutes of data before that suggest a deliberate action.
Media Coverage
An Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, cited sources familiar with the investigation and reported that the cockpit voice recorder captured an 18-second struggle between individuals in the cockpit. The report suggested that one person was trying to pull the aircraft up while another forced it down. The struggle ended when the black box stopped recording flight data.