MYSTERY SWIRLS: Was transmitter on missing AirAsia jet DEACTIVATED?

AS the search resumes for a missing AirAsia Indonesia aircraft, an aviation expert has questioned why the electronic locator transmitter on the plane did not activate.

Captain Des Ross who specialises in aviation security and risk assessment, said all modern aircraft were fitted with an ELT that automatically activated when an aircraft crashed into water, or on land.

He said information from the transmitters would be relayed to satellites and on to search and rescue agencies, such asAustralian Marine Search And Rescue (AMSAR)  in Canberra.

“It’s pretty bad luck if that doesn’t work. It’s not intended to be disabled. Even if you disconnect the power entirely it’s still got a battery in it,” said Capt Ross.

“They’re normally pretty reliable devices, and yet we’re not hearing anything about it (in the case of QZ8501) or in MH370.

“That’s a little bit strange.”

At this point, the disappearance of the A320-200 carrying 162 passengers and crew seemed “somewhat similar” to MH370, Capt Ross said.

“That’s the scary part. It just disappeared from the screen, with no communication whatsoever,” he said.

“I’m on the side that it could well be a weather-related event, and I use the term “related” intentionally because although the weather could’ve ultimately destroyed the aircraft, the aircraft should not have been there if the weather was that bad.”

The aircraft was flying from Surabaya to Singapore and last radioed for permission to ascend and deviate from its flight path to avoid severe weather.

No further communication was made, and the A320-200 then vanished from radar screens.

Grieving families ... relatives of the passengers of AirAsia flight QZ8501 comfort each other at Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, Indonesia. Photo: AFP Source: AFP

The incident has also been compared with the Air France AF447 crash into the Atlantic Ocean in 2009, while on the way from Rio de Janeiro to Paris.

That aircraft stalled as it flew into bad weather and crashed into the water killing all 228 people on-board the A330.

Tragic ending ... Divers recovering part of the tail section from the Air France A447 aircraft that crashed in midflight over the Atlantic Ocean on June 1, 2009, killing all 228 passengers on-board. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

But the flight data recorder revealed there was chaos in the cockpit at the time.

“A junior officer was in the pilot’s seat and there was total disorientation and confusion among the crew,” said Capt Ross.

“I don’t believe we’re looking at the same thing here (with QZ8501) but it is all speculation at this point.” - news.com.au