Deadly China Eastern plane crash was likely intentional, new data suggests

New flight data has revealed that the 2022 crash of a China Eastern Airlines plane, which killed all 132 people on board, may have been caused by an intentional action, according to a report by US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The Boeing 737-800, operating as China Eastern Flight MU5735, crashed into a mountainous area in China’s Guangxi region on March 21, 2022, after plunging from cruising altitude.

Data released by the NTSB shows that fuel switches for both engines were manually moved from the “run” position to “cut-off” while the aircraft was cruising at around 29,000 feet. This caused a rapid loss of engine power before the aircraft entered a steep descent.

The findings are based on analysis of the plane’s flight data recorder, one of the two “black boxes” recovered from the crash site. Investigators found that engine speeds dropped immediately after the fuel supply was cut, indicating that the switches were deliberately moved rather than triggered by a mechanical failure.

Earlier investigations had already ruled out major technical faults, weather conditions, or issues with the aircraft’s airworthiness, shifting focus toward cockpit actions in the moments before the crash.

Separate US assessments and earlier reports had also pointed to the possibility that the aircraft was intentionally put into a dive, though no final conclusion has been officially confirmed by Chinese authorities.

Despite the emerging evidence, China’s aviation regulator has not released a final report on the cause of the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing. The lack of official findings has drawn scrutiny, as the disaster remains China’s deadliest aviation accident in decades.

The latest revelations are expected to intensify global focus on cockpit safety systems, pilot monitoring, and safeguards around critical controls such as fuel switches, which are designed to prevent accidental activation.

The final report, whenever released, is expected to provide definitive answers on whether the crash was the result of human action and who, if anyone, was responsible.