China's Aviation Regulator Fails to Release Report on Deadliest Air Disaster After Three Years

Three years after the tragic crash of China Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735, which killed all 132 people onboard, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has yet to release a final report on the incident. The crash, which occurred on March 21, 2022, marked China's deadliest aviation disaster in three decades. CAAC has issued only brief preliminary and anniversary updates, leaving victims' families and the aviation community frustrated and seeking answers. While preliminary assessments suggested the possibility of intentional actions leading to the crash, CAAC maintains that no abnormalities were found with the aircraft or crew. The ongoing lack of transparency has raised concerns about aviation safety reporting standards in China, particularly as global guidelines recommend timely and detailed reporting on such investigations. As the anniversary passed without new information, relatives of the victims expressed their dismay and frustration over the continued uncertainty regarding the crash's cause.