A US report has confirmed that China Eastern Airlines Flight 5735 was deliberately crashed in March 2022, resulting in the deaths of all 132 people on board. The findings, released by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), point to intentional actions by the pilot.

Intentional Crash Confirmed

The NTSB’s investigation revealed the Boeing 737 was manually forced into a steep dive after both engines were shut down and the autopilot was disengaged. Flight recorder data indicated a struggle in the cockpit, with opposing movements on the control yokes suggesting one pilot attempted to regain control while another forced the aircraft downward.

Details of the Descent

Cruising at 29,000 feet, the plane plummeted almost vertically without any distress call or emergency transponder signal. This lack of communication further supports the conclusion of intentionality.

Suppression of Information

Chinese authorities were reportedly aware within weeks of the crash that it was a deliberate act. However, Beijing has been accused of suppressing critical details, citing concerns about national security and social stability. China’s Civil Aviation Administration warned against further disclosures that could threaten these interests.

Investigation and Data Sharing

The NTSB decoded the aircraft’s black boxes shortly after the crash and shared its findings with Chinese authorities. The audio recordings were subsequently handed over to Beijing and are no longer in US possession. Chinese investigators have maintained that the aircraft’s systems were functioning normally prior to the crash.

Flight Crew and Speculation

Three pilots were on the flight deck: Captain Yang Hongda, first officer Zhang Zhengping, and trainee Ni Gongtao. Speculation within China has focused on Zhang, who had reportedly lost his captain’s rank. No official conclusion has been released, and discussion of the incident has been censored on Chinese social media.

Broader Implications

This crash has reignited concerns about pilot murder-suicides in commercial aviation, drawing parallels to incidents like the 2015 Germanwings crash and the 2014 disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. It also raises questions about transparency in aviation investigations, particularly when state-controlled airlines are involved.