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At about 6:12, over TAVIP waypoint the pilot
contacted air traffic control (ATC) and
requested a change in heading and to climb to
FL380, due to turbulent conditions. ATC denied
the pilots request due to other traffic in the
area. However, the Airbus was cleared to climb
to FL340. At about 6:18, the Airbus A320 signal
was lost on radar.
At the present time, search and rescue
operations are still in progress and further
investigation of the debris found at the
location is still underway. AirAsia
Indonesia
employees have been sent to the site and will be
fully cooperating with BASARNAS, National
Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC), and
relevant authorities on the investigation.
Sunu Widyatmoko, Chief Executive Officer of
AirAsia Indonesia said
“We are sorry to be here today under these
tragic circumstances. We would like to extend
our sincere sympathies to the family and friends
of those on board QZ8501. Our sympathies also go
out to the families of our dear colleagues.”
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