NTSB data suggests both engines shut off and cockpit struggle came before 2022 China plane crash

Key Points:

• Newly released data from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggests both engines of the China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 were deliberately shut off before the plane crashed into a mountain in 2022, killing all 132 aboard.
• Flight data indicates a cockpit struggle occurred, with the plane entering a nosedive and a 360-degree roll, pointing to possible intentional actions by someone in the cockpit, though the exact circumstances remain unclear pending the Chinese investigation's final report.
• The fuel levers on the 737 are designed to prevent accidental shutdown, implying deliberate movement to cut fuel, and experts note the flight data shows signs consistent with a struggle, raising the possibility of pilot suicide.
• The incident highlights ongoing concerns about pilots' mental health and the challenges they face in seeking help due to fears of losing certification and income, compounded by restrictions on psychiatric medications in some countries.
• The crash, which occurred during a flight from Kunming to Guangzhou, left a large crater and forest fire, with no prior reported issues from the crew or evidence of mechanical failure or adverse weather conditions, marking a rare fatal accident in China's improving aviation safety record.