'Among the safest in the world': Aircraft model at centre of plane crash bound for Australian airline

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'Among the safest in the world': Aircraft model at centre of plane crash bound for Australian airline

By Melissa Cunningham

The same model of a new type of aircraft that crashed into the ocean after taking off from Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta is set to be used by Australian airlines.

But aviation expert Neil Hansford said it was highly unlikely a technical fault within the plane's structure had led it to plough into the ocean and the model was among the safest in the world.

While the aircraft is yet to take to Australian skies, Virgin Australia has 30 Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes on order, with the first of the fleet due to arrive in late 2019.

The model has been in commercial use since 2016.

The Lion Air Boeing 737, which has a seating capacity of 210, lost radio contact 13 minutes into a flight to Pangkal Pinang, an island east of Sumatra.

"The [Boeing] 737 is the most produced aircraft in aviation history; there is more of them flying than any other aircraft in the world, they are incredibly well made," Mr Hansford said.

"Basically, if there wasn't any 737s then half the world wouldn't move. I wouldn't expect a catastrophic technical fault to be the cause of this crash in Indonesia and I absolutely do not believe it should be cause for concern about the overall safety of this type of aircraft."

Relatives of passengers comfort each other at Depati Amir Airport in Pangkal Pinang as they wait for news on a Lion Air plane that crashed off Java Island.

Relatives of passengers comfort each other at Depati Amir Airport in Pangkal Pinang as they wait for news on a Lion Air plane that crashed off Java Island.Credit: AP

The Strategic Aviation Solutions chairman said signs so far pointed to the theory that an external factor had interfered with the plane in the moments before it crashed, adding more would be revealed as the investigation unfolded.

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"It could be any number of things [the caused the crash]," he said.

"It appears that something has happened as they've flown over the Indonesian coast that has caused the pilot concern and it appears he has attempted to turn around and come back to the runway just minutes after leaving, but only time will tell what caused the plane to crash into the ocean instead."

Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft have also been certified safe to fly in United States and Europe by aviation authorities.

The aircraft is also expected to undergo thorough safety certification processes by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority before being allowed to fly in Australia.

At least 189 people are believed to have been on board the Indonesian budget carrier's passenger plane when it crashed into the ocean.

Lion Air said in a statement that the pilot and co-pilot were experienced, with more than 11,000 flight hours between them.

Items believed to belong to passengers were found in the water including ID cards and driver's licences, Indonesia’s search and rescue agency Basarnas said.

Virgin Australia declined to comment on the impending fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8 as the exact cause of the crash was still being determined.

The airline confirmed that it would continue to monitor the outcome of the Lion Air crash investigation and would be fully compliant in implementing any recommendations that may come out of it.

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