China Eastern Plane Crash Was Likely Intentional, Reports Say

A China Eastern Airlines plane crash was the result of an intentional nose-dive, according to a new report.

On March 31, Boeing 737-800 plummeted 29,000ft into a mountainside between the southern Chinese cities of Kunming and Guangzhou, killing all 132 passengers and crew on board the plane.

The incident was mainland China's worst aviation disaster in nearly 30 years.

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In the wake of the crash, the 'black box' flight data recorders were recovered and sent to US officials to assess how the incident unfolded, and whether it was accidental or due to intentional action on the flight deck.

As reported by The Wall Street Journal, the data hasn't indicated any mechanical or technical issues with the jet, instead pointing towards an intentional nose-dive, perhaps by the pilot or an intruder who managed to gain access to the cockpit.

A person familiar with the US National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary assessment of the crash said: "The plane did what it was told to do by someone in the cockpit."

The findings have suggested that the plane was intentionally pushed into a near-vertical dive. ABC News also reported that the crash was caused by an intentional act, citing unnamed US officials.

The plane itself was less than seven years old, and China Eastern Airlines also earlier said the three pilots were qualified and in good health. The firm also stated there hadn't been anything to suggest the pilots were in any sort of financial trouble.

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Back in April, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said the rumours surrounding an intentional crash had 'gravely misled the public' and 'interfered with the accident investigation work'.

The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, and the CAAC will continue to 'carry out the accident investigation in a scientific, rigorous and orderly manner', as per state media outlet The Global Times. It may take as long as two or more years.

The CAAC also said staff had met the required safety measures prior to takeoff, and confirmed there weren't any dangerous goods on board the plane, nor did it appear that the aircraft faced adverse weather during its journey.

The Chinese embassy in Washington, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing all declined to comment on The Wall Street Journal's report.

A Boeing spokesperson explained to BBC News: "Under the rules regarding crash investigations... only the investigating agency can comment on an open air accident investigation."

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