The Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735 Crash: A Detailed Account
This article details the events surrounding the crash of China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735 on March 21, 2022, from its departure in Kunming to the aftermath and ongoing investigation. The incident resulted in the loss of all 132 passengers and crew.
The Departure and Initial Flight
At noon on March 21, 2022, Zhou Zhenghong saw his daughter, Yu Di, off at Kunming Changshui International Airport. She was traveling to Guangzhou with eight colleagues. The weather in Kunming was clear with a light wind and a high temperature of 26 degrees Celsius. Flight MU5735, scheduled to depart at 1:16 PM, took off and maintained an altitude of approximately 8,869 meters. The expected arrival time at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport was 2:52 PM.
The Abrupt Descent and Crash
At 2:20 PM, nearing its landing point, the aircraft suddenly began to descend rapidly. The flight speed decreased simultaneously. Guangzhou Baiyun Airport's control tower attempted to contact the aircraft but received no response. Several nearby flights and Zhuhai Jinwan Airport also tried to reach MU5735, but there was no reply and no emergency code transmitted. By 2:23 PM, the flight signal was lost near Wuzhou.
ADS-B data indicated that the aircraft dropped approximately 2,200 meters in 1.12 seconds, reaching a descent rate of 92 meters per second, suggesting a possible stall. A brief recovery occurred, reaching an altitude of 400-500 meters before the aircraft fell again. The final data point, recorded at 2:22:35 PM, showed an altitude of 983 meters and a speed of about 696 kilometers per hour.
The Crash Site and Immediate Aftermath
The aircraft impacted a valley near Teng County, Wuzhou, creating a crater 45 square meters in area and 3 meters deep. Over 40,000 pieces of debris were scattered across 2,600 square meters. The high-speed impact, exceeding 1,029 kilometers per hour, meant that victims could only be identified through DNA analysis. Locals described a sudden shudder and the smell of fuel before discovering the wreckage.
The Human Cost
On the evening of the crash, Zhou Zhenghong learned of the plane crash and anxiously tried to contact his daughter, but to no avail. He knew Yu Di was on a flight to Guangzhou. Police collected DNA samples from the Zhou family home to confirm if she was on board. The Zhou family, like others, faced the devastating reality of their loss.
The Search and Recovery Efforts
Initially, families were denied access to the crash site, but later were allowed to conduct memorial services. The Zhou family was eventually permitted to visit Wuzhou, bringing Yu Di's favorite clothes to the site. They later received Yu Di's remains in a small bag containing bone fragments mixed with soil and debris. Metal fragments were discovered within the soil, indicating the extent of the destruction.
The Investigation
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Black Boxes: The flight recorders, or "black boxes," were recovered on March 23rd and 27th and sent to the NTSB in Washington for data retrieval.
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Initial Reactions: China Eastern Airlines initially grounded its entire fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft but resumed flights within a month.
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Crew Regulations: New regulations were implemented requiring instructor-led teams with a three-pilot crew setup.
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Preliminary Report: A year after the incident, the Civil Aviation Bureau of China issued a brief report that excluded issues of group capitalization.
Pilot Backgrounds
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Captain Yan Hongda: 32 years old, with 6709 hours of flight experience.
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Vice-Pilot Zhang Zhengping: 59 years old, with 31,769 hours of flight experience, and a former instructor at Dongfang Airlines.
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Second Officer Ni Gongtao: 26 years old, an observer on a training mission.
Concerns were raised regarding Vice-Pilot Zhang Zhengping's financial situation and past performance issues, which contradicted initial official reports.
Theories and Speculation
Despite the lack of official findings, theories have emerged, including the possibility of pilot suicide. The Wall Street Journal published an exclusive report citing an anonymous source pointing to Captain Zhang Zhengping as the possible cause of the crash. However, these theories remain unconfirmed and represent possibilities, not definitive truths.
Lingering Questions
Many questions remain unanswered, including how one pilot could overcome two other crew members in the cockpit. If the plane was deliberately crashed, evidence of in-flight disintegration should have been found. Key information, including black box recordings and flight operation incident records, remains confidential.
A Note of Hope and Remembrance
Amidst the tragedy, a note found at the crash site expressed hope and remembrance for the victims. It emphasizes the importance of remembering those who were lost. The families of the victims continue to seek closure and truth, and the story of MU5735 serves as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of understanding.