Flight Data Reinforces Hypothesis of Deliberate Act in China Eastern Boeing 737 Crash
New data released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicates that the fuel switches for both engines on the China Eastern Boeing 737-800 were manually deactivated prior to its 2022 crash. The finding suggests intentional human intervention in the flight deck as the primary cause of the disaster that claimed 132 lives.
Key Findings from Flight Records
More than four years after China Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735 plummeted from 29,000 feet in the Guangxi region, information extracted from the flight recorders sheds light on the aircraft’s final moments. According to data obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the fuel switches for both engines were moved to the “cutoff” position simultaneously while the aircraft was at cruise altitude.
This technical maneuver is critical; on the Boeing 737-800 model, these switches are physical controls that require the pilot to pull up on them before moving them from the “idle” or “run” position to “cutoff.” Air safety experts point out that this sequence of events is consistent with a manual and deliberate engine shutdown.
Technical Analysis of the Descent
The NTSB report details a sequence of events that complicates the theory of a conventional mechanical failure:
- Manual Intervention: Flight Data Recorder (FDR) data confirms that the switches were moved to the cutoff position, after which engine speed decreased drastically.
- Absence of Recovery: There are no records of the switches being returned to the “run” position, suggesting there was no attempt to restart the engines.
- Loss of Power: The FDR ceased recording at 26,000 feet when the aircraft’s generators lost power, although the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) continued to operate using its backup battery.
David Soucie, an aviation safety analyst, highlighted that if the switches had been turned off by mistake, the standard pilot procedure would have been to attempt an immediate restart.
Position of Authorities and Experts
Despite the technical evidence, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has maintained a reserved stance. In its preliminary reports and updates through 2024, the CAAC has reiterated that no faults were found in the aircraft systems, structures, or engines prior to takeoff, and that the crew held all required licenses and regulatory rest periods.
For his part, Tony Stanton, a consultant at Strategic Air, warned that while the sequence is “very difficult to reconcile with a mechanical failure,” the NTSB document should not yet be considered a final accident report. Stanton emphasized the need to interpret this data alongside CVR evidence and the final analysis from investigative authorities to determine the motive or the identity of whoever manipulated the controls.
Speculation and Lack of Transparency
This new NTSB report aligns with previous 2022 reports published by The Wall Street Journal, which cited sources close to the investigation indicating that the plane “did what someone in the cockpit told it to do.” At that time, U.S. investigations focused on the actions of a pilot, without ruling out the possibility of a flight deck intrusion.
The lack of a detailed final report from China has drawn international criticism. While the CAAC has previously denied that the crash was intentional, the aviation community continues to wait for answers regarding exactly what triggered the deadly dive of the Boeing 737 traveling from Kunming to Guangzhou on March 21, 2022.
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