An Ethiopian Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration ET-AVJ performing flight ET-302 from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) to Nairobi (Kenya) with 149 passengers and 8 crew, was climbing out of Addis Ababa when the aircraft levelled off at about 9000 feet MSL, radar contact was lost shortly after at 08:44L (05:44Z).
The airline reported rescue and recovery forces are on their way to the crash site near Bishoftu (Ethiopia) about 17nm southsoutheast of Addis Ababa. The aircraft had departed Addis Ababa at 08:38L, radio and radar contact with the aircraft was lost at 08:44L.
Ethiopia's Prime Minister expressed his deep condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.
The last transponder data were received from position N9.027 E39.153 about 21nm east of Addis Ababa at FL086. Terrain elevation at that point is 8130 feet MSL, FL086 reported by the Mode-S Altimeter (which always measures to standard pressure 1013 QNH) corrected for QNH indicates the aircraft was flying at 9027 feet MSL at that position.
Boeing stated with respect to flight ET-302 on Mar 10th 2019: "Boeing is aware of reports of an airplane accident and is closely monitoring the situation."
News by : Aviation Herald
Images by : Jetphotos