Aerospace

Chinese plane crash that killed 132 caused by intentional act: US officials

After a precipitous descent from cruise altitude, the China Eastern Airline Boeing 737-800 jet crashed in the mountains of Guangxi in March, killing all 123 passengers and nine crew members on board.

According to the Wall Street Journal, flight data from a black box recovered from a China Eastern Airlines plane that crashed in March reveals that someone in the cockpit deliberately crashed the plane, citing people familiar with US officials’ first assessment.
A Western official told Reuters that the focus is on the crew’s behaviour after a preliminary investigation found no evidence of a technical malfunction.

The plane’s maker, Boeing, declined to comment and directed any inquiries to Chinese officials. The United States’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) did not respond swiftly.

In March, a Boeing 737-800 aeroplane flying from Kunming to Guangzhou crashed in the Guangxi highlands following a steep drop from cruise altitude, killing all 123 passengers and nine crew members on board. It was mainland China’s deadliest plane crash in 28 years.

In mid-April, China Eastern resumed flying the 737-800 planes. Despite the fact that the 737-800 has been in service since 1997 and has a stellar safety record, Chinese regulators made no technical recommendations in a summary of their preliminary crash study released last month.

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In a May 10 Reuters interview, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy claimed that board investigators and Boeing had come to China to assist the Chinese inquiry. She stated that the study had uncovered no safety hazards that required immediate attention.

If the board has any safety concerns, Homendy said the board will “make urgent safety recommendations.”

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Aerospace

Boeing Transfers Rocket Stage to NASA, Paving Way for Human Moon Mission

Image:Boeing

Boeing has achieved a significant milestone by providing NASA with the second core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This crucial component, crafted at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), is set to propel the Artemis II crew into lunar orbit, marking humanity’s return to deep space after a 50-year hiatus.

The monumental Boeing-built rocket stage, the largest element of the Artemis II mission, will embark on a journey aboard the Pegasus barge, traveling 900 miles to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Upon arrival, it will be meticulously integrated with other essential Artemis II components, including the upper stage, solid rocket boosters, and NASA’s Orion spacecraft within the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building. This intricate integration process is a vital step toward the eagerly anticipated Artemis II launch, slated for 2025.

“Boeing-built products helped land humankind on the moon in 1969, and we’re proud to continue that legacy through the Artemis generation,” remarked Dave Dutcher, vice president and program manager for Boeing’s SLS program. “Together, with NASA and our industry partners and suppliers, we are building the world’s most capable rocket and paving the way to deep space through America’s rocket factory in New Orleans.”

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The delivery of Core Stage 2 marks a significant achievement in the evolution of the SLS rocket. Towering over 200 feet and powered by four RS-25 engines, this core stage, coupled with two solid-fueled booster rockets, will generate a staggering 8.8 million pounds of thrust. This immense power is crucial to launching Artemis II and future missions into the vast expanse of space.

The SLS rocket stands unparalleled in its capability to transport both crew and substantial cargo to the moon and beyond in a single launch. Its extraordinary capacity will facilitate the delivery of human-rated spacecraft, habitats, and scientific missions to destinations including the moon and Mars, ushering in a new era of space exploration.