Object spotted in sea not from AirAsia jet : Indonesian Vice President

The object spotted during a sea search for an AirAsia plane was not from the aircraft, said Indonesia's vice president on Monday, after the reports saying  objects have been spotted in the sea by a search plane hunting for the missing AirAsia jet.

Indonesian Vice President Kalla said no wreckage had been found. Kalla appealed to families of missing passengers to remain patient.

"Up to now, there is no sign of wreckage that has been spotted. No indication towards that yet," he was quoted as saying by media reports.

Kalla noted that some reports on "wreckage" seen but dismissed them as false.
The Vice President stressed that there was no time frame for the search mission and anything found will be treated with utmost importance.

"Indonesia hopes there will be survivors but is prepared for the worst," Kalla said.
Thirty ships and aircraft from regional countries are searching for the missing plane.
Indonesia was also considering help from the United Kingdom and France.
Belitung Island search and rescue chief Joni Supiardi said his operation centre was activated as soon as the plane was confirmed missing.

Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said three naval vessels and C130 aircraft had been sent to assist Indonesia in the search and rescue operations, adding that his ministry and the Armed Forces were ready to provide any assistance.
Singapore also activated its Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) and offered help with two C130 aircraft on standby.

AirAsia group chief executive officer Fernandes in a Twitter message had said, "This is my worst nightmare".

Weather conditions around the Java Sea towards year end are known to be violent but not unmanageable, Malaysian aviation experts said.

Retired pilot Jalil Mat Dom said thunderstorms in the region could be quite intense and that pilots could ask for a change in their flight plans.

He said that pilots before departing an airport were aware of weather conditions as they were briefed by the meteorological departments in the areas concerned.

Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology senior expert Ahmad Maulan Bardai said communication systems on aircraft such as the A320-200 was designed to work in bad weather.

He said bad weather alone could not account for QZ8501's disappearance, adding that more than one factors were usually present.

Indonesia's transport minister said the government would review AirAsia's operations in the country following the disappearance of a plane.

"We will do a ground check as well as a review of AirAsia's operations in Indonesia to ensure that all of its activities are better in the future," Ignasius Jonan told reporters.