March 20, 2023
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has issued an update on the investigation into the China Eastern MU5735 aircraft crash on March 21, 2022.
Background:
On March 21, 2022, a Boeing 737-800 aircraft (registration B-1791) operated by China Eastern Yunnan Airlines was conducting a scheduled passenger flight from Kunming Changshui Airport to Guangzhou Baiyun Airport as MU5735.
The aircraft took off from Kunming Changshui Airport at 13:16 and rapidly descended from a cruising altitude of 8,900 meters 64 minutes later. It crashed near Mo埌 Village in Teng County, Wuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. All 123 passengers and nine crew members on board were killed.
Investigation Progress:
In accordance with Chinese civil aviation regulations and the relevant provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation - "Investigation of Aircraft Accidents and Incidents," the CAAC, in collaboration with relevant authorities, has initiated a technical investigation into the accident. Key progress includes:
1. Wreckage Search, Identification, and Analysis
- Collection and examination of wreckage and debris
- Identification, photography, and documentation of major wreckage
- Erstellung von Verteilungsplänen für Wrackteile
- Specialized technical investigation of aircraft structure, flight control systems, and engines
- Laboratory analysis of key wreckage, including engine and control system components
2. Flight Operations and Aircraft Airworthiness
- Investigation of the technical skills, health, and performance of the flight crew
- Review of the flight plan, weight and balance, performance calculations, and crew preparation
- Investigation of the company's safety management, training,人员资格管理, and maintenance management
- Assessment of the aircraft's maintenance status, including airworthiness directives, service bulletins, route checks, and retained faults
- Analysis of fuel quality and refueling procedures for the flight in question
- Integration of surveillance data and video recordings to analyze the aircraft's flight status in its final stages
- Recovery and analysis of data from the damaged flight recorders
3. Flight Support Services
- Investigation of the qualifications and operational status of ground personnel at the departure airport
- Review of the maintenance and inspections of the runways, taxiways, and apron surfaces used by the flight
- Investigation of the qualifications of air traffic controllers, communication, navigation, surveillance equipment, air traffic control automation systems, and airspace weather conditions
- Inquiry into passenger, baggage, cargo, and mail information, as well as security screening and loading procedures
- Verification of dangerous goods information for the flight and the training of crew and relevant support personnel on the handling of dangerous goods
Preliminary Findings:
The investigation has determined that:
- The flight crew and cabin crew held valid licenses and certificates and met the requirements for flight, duty, and rest periods. They passed a pre-flight medical examination on the day of the accident.
- The aircraft had valid airworthiness certificates, and the maintenance personnel involved were qualified.
- There were no reported faults or abnormalities with the aircraft's systems, airframe, or engines prior to takeoff.
- The ground personnel involved in the departure operation were qualified, the facilities and equipment were operational, and procedures were followed.
- The relevant air traffic controllers were qualified, communication and navigation surveillance equipment was functioning normally, and there were no abnormalities in radio communications or control instructions before the incident. No hazardous weather was reported in the airspace and altitude of the flight at the time of the accident.
- The cargo and baggage loaded on the flight met the requirements. No dangerous goods were declared, and there is no evidence of dangerous goods concealed in the cargo or baggage.
Next Steps:
The technical investigation team will continue to conduct experimental verification and root cause analysis. Updates will be issued in a timely manner as the investigation progresses.
