AirAsia QZ8501 Crash: Plane Believed To Have Exploded As It Hit The Sea

An AirAsia passenger jet that crashed into the sea killing everyone on board likely exploded before it hit the water, experts said.

Flight QZ8501 crashed with 162 passengers and crew on board two weeks ago after suffering a critical cabin damage probably caused by the sudden change in air pressure.

Indonesian navy divers managed to retrieve one of the boxes and locate the other underwater on Monday, marking a key development for investigators as they attempt to unravel what exactly caused the aircraft to plummet into the sea halfway through its journey.

Black Boxes discovered © Getty Image

The black boxes are vital to understanding what caused the AirAsia flight to lose contact with air traffic control on 27 December, as they include essential information such as the plane’s vertical and horizontal speeds, engine temperature, and the final conversations between the captain and the pilot.