Three years after the China Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735 disaster, China’s aviation regulator has yet to release a final report on the cause of the deadly crash, leaving victims’ families and the global aviation community still searching for answers.
🚨 The Tragedy: China’s Deadliest Air Disaster in Three Decades
On March 21, 2022, a Boeing 737-800 jet operated by China Eastern Airlines (SSE: 600115) plunged into a hillside in Guangxi, roughly an hour after departing from Kunming, bound for Guangzhou. The crash claimed the lives of all 132 people on board, marking China’s deadliest aviation accident in 30 years.
🔍 Lack of Transparency: No Official Cause Released
Despite international aviation guidelines recommending that a final crash report be released within a year, or with periodic updates on each anniversary, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has only issued two brief anniversary updates. These statements offered scant details, providing no conclusive findings on the cause of the tragedy.
On Saturday, after the third anniversary of the crash, relatives of the victims were still waiting for an official explanation. Both CAAC and China Eastern Airlines failed to respond to requests for comment regarding the report’s status.
🛫 Conflicting Theories and Lack of Clarity
Following the crash, CAAC’s preliminary report claimed:
- No aircraft or engine malfunctions were detected before takeoff.
- The weather and communications were normal.
- The crew held valid licenses, had received sufficient rest, and passed health checks.
- No dangerous goods were on board.
However, in May 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that black box data suggested the plane may have been intentionally crashed, citing U.S. officials’ preliminary assessments. CAAC dismissed this claim, stating that unverified speculation had “gravely misled the public” and hindered the investigation.
💬 Growing Frustration and Speculation
The lack of a final report has sparked frustration and suspicion on Chinese social media platforms, including Weibo and Xiaohongshu.
- “Three years… no results? Does nobody remember?” one Weibo user wrote.
- Another Xiaohongshu commenter remarked, “Not releasing in itself is a type of report.”
⚠️ Aviation Safety Concerns: Delays in Reporting
Aviation experts have expressed concerns over the growing number of delayed or missing crash reports globally. These reports are essential for the aviation industry to identify safety flaws and prevent future tragedies. Experts blame the delays on scarce investigative resources, judicial interference, and a lack of political will to disclose certain findings.
🔥 The Road Ahead: Aviation Reform in China
In response to the public frustration and ongoing speculation, Chinese lawmakers are considering significant reforms to the country’s civil aviation laws. The proposed changes would include measures to combat the spread of “rumors” about aviation safety, CAAC announced last month.
💡 Families Still Waiting for Closure
For the families of the victims, the lack of transparency is deeply painful. Without a final report, they remain without closure or accountability. The continued silence from Chinese authorities only fuels suspicion and public distrust, raising concerns about the transparency of air accident investigations in China.
