Search team rules out 'terrorism' as possible cause behind AirAsia crash

Indonesian search team has reportedly confirmed that the crash of AirAsia flight QZ8501 was not likely due to terrorism, in their first remarks since assessing the cockpit voice recorder. Transport safety committee investigator Andreas Hananto said that after listening to the entire two-hour-long recording, they had found "no threatening voice on board," reported the BBC.

He said the recording indicated that the pilot was too busy trying to regain control of the aircraft to send a distress signal and added that it showed that the plane had encountered bad weather. More analysis was required from the rest of the 1,200 parameters to find out the exact weather conditions and its impact on the plane's engines, Hananto said.

Investigators have only transcribed half of the cockpit voice recording so far, the report said. The plane, along with all 162 people onboard, went down into the Java Sea on December 28 while flying from Surabaya to Singapore after encountering bad weather conditions.

Meanwhile, two more bodies were recovered on Monday, bringing the total death toll to 53. The authorities are expected to release a preliminary report on the crash on January 28.

Also Read: Indonesia investigators say no evidence of terrorism in AirAsia crash