Rescue team at the crash site Photo: VCG

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), a US government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation, said on Twitter on Tuesday that it had appointed a senior air safety investigator as a US accredited representative for the investigation of the crash of a China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-800 in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Monday.

The NTSB noted that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) will lead the investigation, and representatives from Boeing, CFM and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will serve as technical advisors.

According to International Civil Aviation Organization, the country where the accident occurred should be responsible for organizing the investigation, thus this investigation is led by the Chinese investigation team, the US can send investigators to participate in it. 

Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday during a routine press conference that the Chinese authorities are sparing no efforts in conducting search and rescue. They will identify the cause of the accident as soon as possible to ensure the absolute safety of aviation operations.

Boeing told the Global Times on Tuesday that it is in contact with the NTSB and their technical experts are prepared to assist with the investigation led by the CAAC. "Our thoughts are with the passengers and crew of China Eastern Airlines Flight MU 5735. We are working with our airline customer and are ready to support them. Boeing is in contact with the US National Transportation Safety Board and our technical experts are prepared to assist with the investigation led by the Civil Aviation Administration of China," it said.

The FAA said on Twitter that it is aware of the crash in China and the agency is ready to assist in investigation efforts if asked.

Following the crash, China Eastern Airlines has decided to ground all the company's 737-800 planes, sources told the Global Times. 

Global Times