Aviation expert expresses concern over missing AirAsia flight

Expressing concern over the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501, aviation expert Harshvardhan on Sunday said it is an extremely worrying situation and prayed to god for the safety of the passengers.

"The aircraft was going from Surabaya to Singapore and it has lost contact. It's almost five-six hours. It's a worrying situation and we should all keep our fingers crossed and pray to god that the passengers in the aircraft are safe," said Harshvardhan.

"In this industry the more time passes before any contact is established we should start undertaking certain rescue operations and we should also be prepared for the worst. The way the incident happened, the last communication indicate that the pilot had asked for a diversion to an unusual route which certainly indicates that there was some kind of action which prompted pilot to seek such a diversion," he added.

He, however, also said that there could be some sabotage or rather such issues.

"It could be either some kind of internal problem which the pilot faced in the functioning of the aircraft and also the possibility of any external intervention cannot be ruled out because the whole area is becoming highly terrorist prone and anything can be happening," Harshvardhan further said.

Earlier in the day, AirAsia Indonesia confirmed that flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore lost contact with ATC at 07:24 (Surabaya LT).

A statement released by Air Asia informed that nationalities of passengers and crew onboard include one from Singapore, one from Malaysia, three from South Korean and 157 Indonesia.

The statement further said that search and rescue operations are being conducted under the guidance of The Indonesia of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).