Boeing 737-800 Crashes in China, 132 Presumed Dead

A Boeing 737-800 carrying 132 people crashed early Monday in China. While the plane is also a 737, the 737-800 that crashed is a different aircraft from the troubled 737-Max line. As of now, authorities are still investigating the cause of this fatal crash.

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China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 Crashes, 132 People Still Unaccounted

Initial reports show that the aircraft crashed in the mountains in southern China. Reportedly, the plane suddenly plunged straight down as it was preparing to descend.

At present, local media reported no signs of survivors among the 132 people on board. Flight MU5735 flew en route from Kunming, Yunnan province, to Guangzhou, Guangdong.

It was nearing its destination when the accident occurred. The aircraft, carrying 123 passengers and nine crew, lost contact over the city of Wuzhou.    

The airline operator, China Eastern, said that they are still investigating the cause of the crash. 

As accidents of this magnitude usually involve several factors. As a result, experts warned that it was too early for anybody to speculate on the cause of the accident.

Especially at this point, when little information is available about the downed aircraft. Right now, investigators are scouring the wreckage and retrieving inflight recorders. 

Boeing 737-800 Is The Most Common Boeing Jet in Service

The China Eastern aircraft that crashed in Southern China was a Boeing 737-800. This model is the most common aircraft manufactured by Boeing.

As a result, many international airlines feature the 737-800 as their primary workhorse. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, there are 4,502 737-800s in service worldwide.

China alone has 1,177 800s in service. It’s also the second most common plane among all commercial aircraft in service. Only the Airbus A320 has more planes in service worldwide.  

The crash of flight MU5735 is the first fatal accident involving a Chinese airline since 2010. This is according to the Aviation Safety Network.

China Eastern airlines already sent a working group to the crash site. It also said that on checking the manifest, there are no foreigners listed as onboard the flight.

Meanwhile, relatives, friends, and colleagues of passengers gathered late on Monday in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. The airline staff was making arrangements for relatives who wish to travel to the crash site. 

Boeing Sends It Sympathy To Victims

Meanwhile, manufacturer Boeing issued a statement regarding the fatal flight of MU5735. “Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew of China Eastern Airlines Flight MU 5735,” Boeing said in a statement. “We are working with our airline customer and are ready to support them.” 

In addition, the company remains in talks with the US National Transportation Safety Board over the incident.

Boeing is also on standby to assist in the investigation conducted by China’s Civil Aviation Administration. If requested by Chinese authorities, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be glad to help with the investigation. 

Watch the TODAY show video reporting that Boeing 737 carrying 132 people crashes In Southern China:

What will happen to Boeing after this latest crash involving the 737-800?

• Most airlines will probably ground its fleets of 737-800 and hold off recertifying the 737-Max pending investigation.
• Boeing will need to retool its aircraft fleet extensively to check for design flaws and make improvements. Otherwise, airlines will start looking at other aircraft manufacturers.
• Nothing. If the investigation reveals pilot error as the cause of the accident.
• Boeing will take a PR hit for a few weeks, but after that, things will go on as before.

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What do you think happens next for Boeing after the fatal crash of a Boeing 737-800? Will this mean the grounding of yet another line in Boeing’s 737 lines?

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