Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182: The search for answers

The search for answers

With no explanation as to why Sriwijaya Air Flight SJ182 plunged into the Java Sea, investigators are hunting for answers on the sea bed.

Indonesian divers are searching for the remains of most of the 62 victims of the Boeing 737-500, which plunged into the waters off the capital Jakarta just four minutes after taking off on January 9. They have recovered one of the plane’s so-called black boxes, the flight data recorder (FDR), but the potentially crucial cockpit voice recorder (CVR) is still missing.

Making the search more complicated, the remaining box has stopped emitting pings. The Java Sea is relatively shallow compared with the Indian Ocean on the opposite side of Java. The shallower water depth helped search teams locate the wreckage the day after the crash and for divers to comb through the wreckage, unlike crashes in deeper water where there’s a heavier reliance on machinery.

Up to 50m

MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE

Borneo

INDONESIA

AirAsia QZ8501

Crashed 2014

Sumatra

Java Sea

Lion Air JT610

Crashed 2018

Sriwijaya Air SJ182

Java

up to

2,500m

up to

6,000m

up to

7,000m

Indian Ocean

BRUNEI

Up to 50m

MALAYSIA

SINGAPORE

Borneo

INDONESIA

Sumatra

AirAsia QZ8501

Crashed 2014

Java Sea

Lion Air JT610

Sriwijaya Air SJ182

Crashed 2018

Java

up to

2,500m

up to

6,000m

Indian Ocean

up to

7,000m

BRUNEI

Up to 50m

MALAYSIA

Celebes Sea

SINGAPORE

Borneo

INDONESIA

Sulawesi

Sumatra

AirAsia QZ8501

Crashed 2014

Java Sea

Lion Air JT610

Sriwijaya Air SJ182

Crashed 2018

Java

Flores Sea

up to

2,500m

up to

6,000m

Savu

Sea

Indian Ocean

up to

7,000m

BRUNEI

Up to 50m

MALAYSIA

Celebes Sea

SINGAPORE

Borneo

INDONESIA

Sumatra

Sulawesi

AirAsia QZ8501

Crashed 2014

Java Sea

Lion Air JT610

Sriwijaya Air SJ182

Crashed 2018

Java

Flores Sea

up to

2,500m

Indian Ocean

up to

6,000m

Savu

Sea

up to

7,000m

BRUNEI

Up to 50m

MALAYSIA

Celebes Sea

Borneo

Correction

SINGAPORE

Molucca

Sea

INDONESIA

Sumatra

AirAsia QZ8501

Crashed 2014

Sulawesi

West Papua

Lion Air JT610

Up to

7,000m

Crashed 2018

Java Sea

Up to

50m deep

Indian Ocean

Sriwijaya Air SJ182

Banda Sea

Java

Flores Sea

Up to

2,500m

Arafura

Sea

Up to

6,000m

Savu

Sea

Up to

7,000m

Timor Sea

Nurcahyo Utomo, an investigator at Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), said the jet may have been intact before it hit the water, given the debris appeared to have scattered in a relatively tight area underwater.

100m

- Jan. 13

Aerial search area

50m

Underwater

search area

25m max depth

SJ182

flight path

Soekarno-Hatta

International Airport

JAKARTA

100m

Aerial search area

- Jan. 13

50m

Underwater

search area

Debris rests in shallow waters

25m max depth

Jakarta Bay

SJ182

flight path

Soekarno-Hatta

International Airport

JAKARTA

Currents

100m

Aerial search area

- Jan. 13

50m

Underwater

search area

Debris rests in shallow waters

25m max depth

Jakarta Bay

SJ182

flight path

Soekarno-Hatta

International Airport

JAKARTA

Currents

May drag debris eastwards towards the bay

100m

Aerial search area

- Jan. 13

50m

Underwater

search area

Debris rests in shallow waters less than 25 meters deep

25m max depth

Jakarta Bay

SJ182

flight path

Soekarno-Hatta

International Airport

JAKARTA

100m

Aerial search area

- Jan. 13

50m

Currents

May drag debris eastwards towards the bay

Lacang Islands

Underwater

search area

The debris rests in shallow waters less than 25 meters deep.

25m max depth

Untung Jawa Is.

Jakarta Bay

SJ182

flight path

Soekarno-Hatta

International Airport

JAKARTA

The search team had narrowed down the suspected location of the “black box” flight recorders and a remote-controlled vehicle would help scour the sea bed, navy chief of staff Yudo Margono said.

“There is so much debris down there and we have only lifted a few pieces. Hopefully, as we take out more they (the recorders) can be found,” Yudo told reporters aboard a ship.

The Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in conjunction with human divers, and naval ships with sonar, are being used to locate, raise, and identify debris and bodies from the wreckage.

Multi-beam echo sounder

Used to gather a three-dimensional survey of the seabed and the objects resting on it.

Transmitter

Sound waves transmitted to produce a swath of readings.

Receiver

The time it takes for a wave to be returned determines the depth

Multi-beam echo sounder

Beams are emitted in a fan shape from the sides of the device. The strength of the return echo helps to form a picture of the sea floor. Protruding objects are light areas in the image while shadows appear dark.

Shadow

ROV

The remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) is fitted with lights, sonar, still and video cameras, and a claw-like arm that can grip and lift objects weighing up to 25 kg. It is connected to a ship via an umbilical line.

Robotic

arm

Multi-beam echo sounder

Used to gather a three-dimensional survey of the seabed and the objects resting on it.

Transmitter

Sound waves are transmitted in a fan shape to produce a swath of readings.

Receiver

The waves bounce back to the receiver. The time it takes for a wave to be returned back determines the depth.

Location

Global positioning satellites (GPS) help to pinpoint the locations of the readings.

Side scan sonar

Beams are emitted in a fan shape from the sides of the device. The strength of the return echo helps to form a picture of the sea floor. Protruding objects are light areas in the image while shadows appear dark.

Shadow

ROV

The remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) is fitted with lights, sonar, still and video cameras, and a claw-like arm that can grip and lift objects weighing up to 25 kg. It is connected to a ship via an umbilical line.

Robotic

arm

Multi-beam echo sounder

Used to gather a three-dimensional survey of the seabed and the objects resting on it.

Receiver

The waves bounce back to the receiver. The time it takes for a

wave to be returned back

determines the depth.

Location

Global positioning satellites (GPS) help to pinpoint the locations of the readings.

Transmitter

Sound waves are transmitted in a fan shape to produce a swath of readings.

Side scan sonar

Beams are emitted in a fan shape from the sides of the device. The strength of the return echo helps to form a picture of the sea floor. Protruding objects are light areas in the image while shadows appear dark.

Shadow

ROV

The remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) is fitted with lights, sonar, still and video cameras, and a claw-like arm that can grip and lift objects weighing up to 25 kg. It is connected to a ship via an umbilical line.

Robotic

arm

Multi-beam echo sounder

Used to gather a three-dimensional survey of the seabed and the objects resting on it.

Transmitter

Sound waves transmitted to produce a swath of readings.

Receiver

The time it takes for a wave to be returned determines the depth

Multi-beam echo sounder

Beams are emitted in a fan shape from the sides of the device. The strength of the return echo helps to form a picture of the sea floor. Protruding objects are light areas in the image while shadows appear dark.

Shadow

ROV

The remotely-operated underwater vehicle (ROV) is fitted with lights, sonar, still and video cameras, and a claw-like arm that can grip and lift objects weighing up to 25 kg. It is connected to a ship via an umbilical line.

Robotic

arm

The debris sits in water anywhere from 15 to 25 metres deep, a tiny fraction of other depths at which black boxes have been recovered. The Lion Air crash in 2018 was in similar waters of Jakarta but the AirAsia crash in 2014 was much further out in the Java Sea. However, the water was still only marginally deeper. When compared to other open ocean crashes such as the Air France AF447 disaster in 2009 the difference in scale of the recovery tasks are more apparent.

The scale of recovery

Here are a selection of plane crashes at sea, illustrating the range of depths at which black boxes have been recovered.

15-23 meters

Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182

Debris was reported at a range of shallow depths

30 meters

Air Asia flight QZ8501

Wreckage discovered 12 days after the crash. Black boxes fully recovered three days later

100 m

200m

Dysphotic zone

Also referred to as the “twilight” zone.

Only a miniscule amount of light

penetrates beyond this depth.

300 m

332 metres

Deepest scuba dive recorded

400 m

500m

Armavia Airlines RNV967

Wreckage located at the bottom of the Black Sea.

Both black boxes were recovered around two weeks after the crash.

600 m

610 m

Deepest recorded dive in a pressurised atmospheric suit. Set by a U.S. Navy diver in 2006.

700 m

800 m

Sperm whales

The whales typically dive for around 45 minutes to depths like this.

900 m

1,000m

The midnight zone

1km below the surface, the water is bathed in darkness. The temperature is constant at a chilling 4°C (39°F).

Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182

Debris was reported at a range of shallow depths

30 meters

Air Asia flight QZ8501

Wreckage discovered 12 days after the crash. Black boxes fully recovered three days later

100 m

200m

Dysphotic zone

Also referred to as the “twilight” zone.

Only a miniscule amount of light

penetrates beyond this depth.

300 m

332 metres

Deepest scuba dive recorded

400 m

500m

Armavia Airlines RNV967

Wreckage located at the bottom of the Black Sea.

Both black boxes were recovered around two weeks after the crash.

600 m

610 m

Deepest recorded dive in a pressurised atmospheric suit. Set by a U.S. Navy diver in 2006.

700 m

800 m

Sperm whales

The whales typically dive for around 45 minutes to depths like this.

900 m

1,000m

The midnight zone

1km below the surface, the water is bathed in darkness. The temperature is constant at a chilling 4°C (39°F).

Sriwijaya Air

Flight SJ182

Java Sea

Jan. 9, 2021

Air Asia

Flight QZ8501

Java Sea

Dec. 28, 2014

Armavia Airlines

Flight RNV967

Black Sea

May 3, 2006

Air France

Flight AF447

Atlantic Ocean

Jun. 1, 2009

South Africa Airways

Flight SA295

Indian Ocean

Nov. 28, 1987

Adam Air

Flight KI574

Makassar Strait

Jan. 1, 2007

15 - 23 metres

Multiple depths reported as debris is scattered across uneven seabed.

30 metres

Wreckage was discovered 12 days after the crash. Black boxes fully recovered three days later.

100 m

200m

Dysphotic zone

Also referred to as the “twilight” zone.

 

Only a miniscule amount of light penetrates beyond this depth.

300 m

332 metres

Deepest scuba dive recorded

400 m

Wreckage of Armavia Airlines flight RNV967 was located at the bottom of the Black Sea. Both black boxes were recovered around two weeks after the crash.

500m

600 m

610 m

Deepest recorded dive in a pressurised atmospheric suit. Set by a U.S. Navy diver in 2006.

700 m

800 m

Sperm whales

The whales typically dive for around 45 minutes to depths like this.

900 m

1,000m

The midnight zone

1km below the surface, the water is bathed in darkness. The temperature is constant at a chilling 4°C (39°F).

Sriwijaya Air

Flight SJ182

Java Sea, Indonesia

Jan. 9, 2021

Air Asia

Flight QZ8501

Java Sea, Indonesia

Dec. 28, 2014

Armavia Airlines

Flight RNV967

Black Sea, Russia

May 3, 2006

Adam Air

Flight KI574

Makassar Strait, Indonesia

Jan. 1, 2007

Air France

Flight AF447

Atlantic Ocean

Jun. 1, 2009

South Africa Airways

Flight SA295

Indian Ocean

Nov. 28, 1987

15 - 23 metres

Multiple depths reported as debris is scattered across uneven seabed.

30 metres

Wreckage was discovered 12 days after the crash. Black boxes fully recovered three days later.

100 m

200m

Dysphotic zone

Also referred to as the “twilight” zone.

 

Only a miniscule amount of light

penetrates beyond this depth.

300 m

332 metres

Deepest scuba dive recorded

400 m

Wreckage of Armavia Airlines flight RNV967 was located at the bottom of the Black Sea. Both black boxes were recovered around two weeks after the crash.

500m

600 m

610 m

Deepest recorded dive in a pressurised atmospheric suit. Set by a U.S. Navy diver in 2006.

700 m

800 m

Sperm whales

The whales typically dive for around 45 minutes to depths like this.

900 m

1,000m

The midnight zone

1km below the surface, the water is bathed in darkness. The temperature is constant at a chilling 4°C (39°F).

1,100 m

1,200 m

1,300 m

1,400 m

Deepwater Horizon oil spill

This is the depth of the sea floor and blowout preventer of the Macondo well that leaked more than 4 million barrels of oil into the ocean in 2010 in the world's worst ever offshore oil accident.

 

It took more than three months to stop the leak at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

1,500m

1,600 m

1,700 m

1,800 m

1,900 m

The Adam Air KI574

black boxes were recovered from this depth in the Makassar Strait

The main wreckage of the flight was found 100m deeper than the black boxes.

2,000m

1,100 m

1,200 m

1,300 m

1,400 m

1,500m

Deepwater Horizon oil spill

This is the depth of the sea floor and blowout preventer of the Macondo well.

 

The well leaked more than 4 million barrels of oil into the ocean in 2010 in the world's worst ever offshore oil accident.

 

It took more than three months to stop the leak at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

1,600 m

1,700 m

1,800 m

1,900 m

Adam Air KI574

The black boxes were

recovered from this depth

in the Makassar Strait

The main wreckage of the flight was found in waters 100m deeper than the black boxes.

2,000m

1,100 m

1,200 m

1,300 m

1,400 m

1,500m

Deepwater Horizon oil spill

This is the depth of the sea floor and blowout preventer of the Macondo well.

 

The well leaked more than 4 million barrels of oil into the ocean in 2010 in the world's worst ever offshore oil accident.

 

It took more than three months to stop the leak at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

1,600 m

1,700 m

1,800 m

1,900 m

Adam Air KI574

The black boxes were

recovered from this depth

in the Makassar Strait

2,000m

The main wreckage of the flight was found in waters 100m deeper than the black boxes.

1,100 m

1,200 m

1,300 m

1,400 m

Deepwater Horizon oil spill

This is the depth of the sea floor and blowout preventer of the Macondo well that leaked more than 4 million barrels of oil into the ocean in 2010 in the world's worst ever offshore oil accident.

 

It took more than three months to stop the leak at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.

1,500m

1,600 m

1,700 m

1,800 m

1,900 m

The Adam Air KI574

black boxes were recovered from this depth in the Makassar Strait

The main wreckage of the flight was found 100m deeper than the black boxes.

2,000m

2,100 m

2,200 m

2,300 m

2,400 m

2,500m

2,600 m

2,700 m

2,800 m

Extreme pressure

Pressure at this depth is more than 4,000 psi.

That’s twice the pressure used by a car crusher to flatten vehicles.

2,992 m

Deepest whale dive

A Cuvier's beaked whale was tracked diving to this extreme depth, the deepest ever observed for a diving mammal.

3,000m

2,100 m

2,200 m

2,300 m

2,400 m

2,500m

2,600 m

2,700 m

2,800 m

Extreme pressure

Pressure at this depth is more than 4,000 psi.

That’s twice the pressure used by a car crusher to flatten vehicles.

Deepest whale dive

A Cuvier's beaked whale was tracked diving to this extreme depth, the deepest ever observed for a diving mammal.

2,992 m

3,000m

2,100 m

2,200 m

2,300 m

2,400 m

2,500m

2,600 m

2,700 m

2,800 m

Extreme pressure

Pressure at this depth is more than 4,000 psi.

That’s twice the pressure used by a car crusher to flatten vehicles.

Deepest whale dive

A Cuvier's beaked whale was tracked diving to this extreme depth, the deepest ever observed for a diving mammal.

2,992 m

3,000m

2,100 m

2,200 m

2,300 m

2,400 m

2,500m

2,600 m

2,700 m

2,800 m

Extreme pressure

Pressure at this depth is more than 4,000 psi.

That’s twice the pressure used by a car crusher to flatten vehicles.

2,992 m

Deepest whale dive

A Cuvier's beaked whale was tracked diving to this extreme depth, the deepest ever observed for a diving mammal.

3,000m

3,100 m

3,200 m

3,300 m

3,400 m

3,500m

3,600 m

3,700 m

3,800 m

Air France flight AF447

Wreckage was found at this depth almost two years after the crash. Black boxes were recovered a month later.

3,900 m

4,000m

The abyss

The abyssal zone extends from here down to 6,000 m.

The name comes from a Greek word meaning “no bottom.” Water temperature hovers close to freezing and only a few creatures can be found at these crushing depths.

3,100 m

3,200 m

3,300 m

3,400 m

3,500m

3,600 m

3,700 m

3,800 m

3,900 m

Air France flight AF447

Wreckage was found at this depth almost two years after the crash. Black boxes were recovered a month later.

Water temperature hovers close to freezing and only a few creatures can be found at these crushing depths.

4,000m

The abyss

3,100 m

3,200 m

3,300 m

3,400 m

3,500m

3,600 m

3,700 m

3,800 m

3,900 m

Air France flight AF447

Wreckage was found at this depth almost two years after the crash. Black boxes were recovered a month later.

The abyssal zone extends from here down to 6,000 m. The name comes from a Greek word meaning “no bottom.” Water temperature hovers close to freezing and only a few creatures can be found at these crushing depths.

4,000m

The abyss

3,100 m

3,200 m

3,300 m

3,400 m

3,500m

3,600 m

3,700 m

3,800 m

Air France flight AF447

Wreckage was found at this depth almost two years after the crash. Black boxes were recovered a month later.

3,900 m

The abyssal zone extends from here down to 6,000 m.

The name comes from a Greek word meaning “no bottom.” Water temperature hovers close to freezing and only a few creatures can be found at these crushing depths.

4,000m

The abyss

4,100 m

4,200 m

4,300 m

South African Airways flight SA295

Located at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. It took more than a year to recover the cockpit voice recorder.

4,400m

The deepest point in the world’s oceans is more than twice this depth.

4,100 m

4,200 m

4,300 m

South African Airways flight SA295

Located at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. It took more than a year to recover the cockpit voice recorder.

4,400m

The deepest point in the world’s oceans is more than twice this depth.

4,100 m

4,200 m

4,300 m

South African Airways flight SA295

Located at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. It took more than a year to recover the cockpit voice recorder.

4,400m

The deepest point in the world’s oceans is more than twice this depth.

4,100 m

4,200 m

4,300 m

South African Airways flight SA295

Located at the bottom of the Indian Ocean. It took more than a year to recover the cockpit voice recorder.

4,400m

The deepest point in the world’s oceans is more than twice this depth.

Correction:

An earlier version of this story mistakenly showed the JT610 crash as occurring in 2014. This has been corrected since it crashed in 2018.

By

Simon Scarr and Marco Hernandez

Sources

Bathymetry data from GEBCO 2019 grid
Flightradar24
ecagroup.com
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS)

Additional editing

Matthew Tostevin and Michael Perry