The signal of EgyptAir Ms8o4 has been detected by the search team in the Mediterranean Sea. The signal was detected by French Naval survey vessel "Laplace" with the help of an equipment belonging to a private contractor, Alseamar. Speaking to some correspondents, spokesman of the joint search team coordinated by Egypt, Sebastien Barthe, stated that there is a "high probability" that the signal detected at the seabed of the location where the plane is suspected to have crashed is that of EgyptAir flight MS8o4 black box.
Barely three hours of EgyptAir MS8O4 was reported to have gone off the radar, search teams comprising of Greek, French, Egyptian rescuers as well as help from other countries were launched. The search team initially comprised of the naval forces of Egypt and other marine-based agencies following presumptions that the flight may have sunk into the Mediterranean Sea based on the geo-tagging of the last communication between the Cockpit and the Control Centre.
Barely three hours of EgyptAir MS8O4 was reported to have gone off the radar, search teams comprising of Greek, French, Egyptian rescuers as well as help from other countries were launched. The search team initially comprised of the naval forces of Egypt and other marine-based agencies following presumptions that the flight may have sunk into the Mediterranean Sea based on the geo-tagging of the last communication between the Cockpit and the Control Centre.
The presumption became reality as the search and rescue team was transformed into a search and investigate team. Wreckage of the plane was reportedly found floating on the Sea, as well as scraps of seats. The knowledge of the fate of the flight and persons aboard was sealed as it was then confirmed that the plane had crashed. However, the job of the search was not yet done. It was necessary to find what caused the crash. While investigations may have revealed that Flight MS8O4 was on fire prior to its plunge into the Mediterranean Sea, speculations on the actual cause of the crash were abound and varied. Many suspected terrorist attack, while a few felt that it was a mechanical fault.
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Among persons and agencies that suspected that it was a terrorist attack was US presidential aspirant under the platform of Republican Party, business mogul, celebrity and a twitter freak, Mr. Donald J Trump. Within minutes of the crash, the Presumptive Nominee of Republican Party, typical of him tweeted, blaming the crash on terrorism and hate.
Also, the first reaction of the officials of EgyptAir was indicative of their inclination towards terrorism as the cause of the crash. In an interview with CNN Amanpour, the Vice President of the EgyptAir, told CNN that "no snags were reported" as the aircraft had constantly been checked for mechanical issues. Also, New York Times reported that two years ago, protesters against the leadership of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi inscribed a graffiti on the body of the crashed aircraft "we will bring this plane down".
All these give credence of the likelihood that the plane may have been deliberately crashed by terrorist. While this is still speculative, the revelation of a smoke alert prior to the crash of the plane and the twisted form of the wreckage found thus far are highly indicative of the assuming reality. One investigator who spoke with some media correspondents on an anonymous basis revealed that data collected suggest an "internal explosion" which ripped off some windows of the aircraft from within. According to the source, "it looks like the right front and side window were blown out, most probably from the inside out".
However, the only resolution of the present conundrum surrounding the cause of the crash is the "black box" of the Flight MS8O4. Until then, EgyptAir Flight MS8O4 will remain a mystery just like the vanished Malaysian aircraft. The fire that burnt while the plane plummets into the Mediterranean Sea could have resulted from electrical fault contrary to speculations. David Learmount, a respected aviation expert, revealed the possibility of this when he told CBS that "The question now is whether the fire that caused the smoke was the result of an electrical fault... or whether some form of explosive or incendiary device was used"
What is the "black box"? Every time a plane crashes, there is always rush to recover the black box. This is basically a systematic combination of the cockpit voice recorder and flight date recorder. Therefore, it keeps records of what may have happened in the cockpit ranging from discussions and communications within the cockpit and between the cockpit and other environments, while tapping records of the various functionalities of an aircraft while airborne. However, it does not prevent any mishap, but aids investigators to put data together in order to, to a great degree, ascertain the motivation behind the crash. This is the most important device of the aircraft post-crash.
The black box was invented by Dr. David Warren in Melbourne while he was involved in the investigation of the crash of Comet, the first world powered commercial aircraft in the 1950s. Leveraging on his experience from the investigation, he found it instructive to develop a device that keeps records of all communications and developments within an aircraft while airborne, including verbal communications and all other electrical and mechanical occurrences within the aircraft. Although developed in 1957, it was not until 1960 that it became mandatory for all commercial airplanes to employ the mechanism of the black box. This measure was first adopted by Australia before the rest of the world cued in.
As in the case of EgyptAir Flight MS8O4, which plunged into the Mediterranean Sea, locating the "Black Box" was expected be more herculean. However, in an effort to help locate the black box of an aircraft in the event of an under water crash, commercial aircraft transport aircraft, like the Flight MS8O4 are fitted with an acoustic underwater locator beacon, which transmits at a frequency of 37.5kHz, and has a battery life of at least 30 days. Through a sensor receptors, the transmission is detected, aiding the retrieval of the "Black box".
This process is however cost intensive and may discourage airliners from furthering investigations. However, in the light of global interest in unraveling the cause of the crash of EgyptAir Flight MS8O4, the Egyptian government, supported by the Italian, British, Greek, French and Cyprus governments have secured the services of reputable private international firms to help with the search and recovery of the black box.
While the search continued, but following the detection of the signal, the black box (the two voice recorders) was retrieved Thursday 17 June, 2016. Although the cockpit voice recorder was damaged, its recordings may still be retrieved in order to ascertain the cause of the crash.
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