Across the world, leaders are jumping to conclusions about the crash of EgyptAir Flight 804, which was on its way from Paris to Cairo and lost contact in Egyptian airspace over the Mediterranean Sea. From the head of Russia's FSB security service to Donald Trump, terrorism is on the tip of everyone's tongues. And while the cause of the crash is still unknown, Egypt's history of ruling out terrorism when planes crash makes it especially significant that its civil aviation minister, Sherif Fathy, tentatively noted an attack as a distinct possibility.
"Let's not try to jump to the side that is trying to identify this as a technical failure," Fathy told a news conference. "On the contrary, the possibility of a terror attack is higher than a malfunction, but again, I don't want to hypothesize."
In two previous cases in which Egypt has had jurisdiction over the investigations of an air accident, its government - first under Hosni Mubarak in 1999, and then under Abdel Fattah el-Sisi last year - vociferously denied any links to terrorism or foul play, even when other investigations found definitive evidence to the contrary.
Metrojet Flight 9268
On Oct. 31, 2015, a chartered plan carrying Russian tourists from the resort city of Sharm el-Sheik was bombed, apparently by the Islamic State, over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Within two days of the crash, which killed all 224 people onboard, Russian teams had established that a mid-air explosion could have been responsible for the wide debris field, and an American intelligence official said infrared satellite had picked up on a heat-flash in the vicinity of the crash, which could indicate an explosion. On Nov. 17, Russia officially concluded that the disaster was an act of terrorism. A day later, the Islamic State published photos in its magazine, Dabiq, of what it said was the bomb used in the attack.
Still, almost a full month later, the head of the Egyptian investigative committee said that there was "no evidence that there is an act of terror or illegal intervention."
For months, Sisi dismissed claims of terrorism as Islamic State propaganda, until in late February this year he acknowledged publicly that the plane was brought down intentionally.
EgyptAir Flight 990
The case of EgyptAir Flight 990 has proved more intractable, and the Egyptian government still disputes an investigation by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB says the plane's reserve first officer intentionally crashed the jet in international waters 60 miles south of Nantucket as the plane traveled from New York to Cairo on Oct. 31, 1999.
This flight fell out of the sky on a calm night while rising to cruising altitude. Since it fell in international waters, Egypt was initially given jurisdiction over the investigation, but the Egyptians requested that the NTSB handle it. The NTSB report details, second by second, the interactions between the plane's captain and the reserve first officer in the cockpit. At one point, the captain leaves to use the bathroom. Softly, his colleague says, "I rely on God," before dipping the nose of the plane slightly. By the time the captain returns, the first officer has essentially shut off the plane's engines and has repeated "I rely on God" at least nine more times. The plane dove to a lower altitude before leveling off, and then dove again until it crashed into the ocean.
The NTSB concluded that actions of Gameel al-Batouti, the reserve first officer, led to the crash. Egypt's investigative body, however, concluded that a mechanical failure was the probable cause and pointed to similar malfunctions in other Boeing 767s. A report in the Atlantic magazine, which drew on months of reporting in Egypt after the crash, found that most Egyptians believed the government's line. It also found that many saw the NTSB's allegations as an insult against Islam, stemming from a misunderstanding of Batouti's usage of the phrase "I rely on God."
Egypt relies heavily on tourism, and terrorism has wrought deep wounds on the industry there, as well as embarrassed the military rule of its government, which stakes much of its credibility on security and stability.
The Washington Post
Fri May 20 2016
![Egypt is often the last to recognize the real cause of its plane crashes Egypt is often the last to recognize the real cause of its plane crashes](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/81463628719_EgyptAir.jpg)
In previous cases, Egypt vociferously denied any links to terrorism or foul play
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/71683779541_TBNAJIBRAZAK.jpg)
Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum
Berdasarkan sistem e-filing mahkamah, rayuan itu telah ditetapkan untuk pengurusan kes pada 7 Oktober ini.
![E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721128633_MohdHidayatMohdSa.jpg)
E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi
Kerajaan juga harus wujudkan sebuah dasar yang jelas supaya kepentingan e-sukan ini mampu diperkembangkan ke masa hadapan.
![Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721122322_ZulkifliHasan.jpg)
Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism
Kerajaan sentiasa memandang serius terhadap penularan ideologi dan aliran pemikiran yang bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam seperti ideologi liberalism dan pluralism agama.
![Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710754100_MohdNazifuddinNaji.jpg)
Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM
Atlet di bawah projek Road To Gold (RTG) tidak mempunyai pilihan selain memenangi emas yang diidam-idamkan Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2024 di Paris.
![KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/41693913999_RubiahWang.jpg)
KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan
Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah (KEDA) memperuntukkan RM3.37 juta pada tahun ini bagi memastikan keterjaminan makanan negara.
![Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721021538_TBSHAMSUL.jpg)
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
![PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024 PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710922383_MasErmieyatiSamsud.jpg)
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
![Detik cemas berakhir gembira apabila wanita selamat bersalin dalam pesawat Detik cemas berakhir gembira apabila wanita selamat bersalin dalam pesawat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-04/61617935424_newbaby.jpg)
Detik cemas berakhir gembira apabila wanita selamat bersalin dalam pesawat
Sebuah pesawat terpaksa membuat pendaratan kecemasan selepas salah seorang penumpang melahirkan anak ketika di udara.
![Bahan letupan dikesan pada kesemua 66 mayat penumpang nahas EgyptAir Bahan letupan dikesan pada kesemua 66 mayat penumpang nahas EgyptAir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/71464235249_Egyptair.jpg)
Bahan letupan dikesan pada kesemua 66 mayat penumpang nahas EgyptAir
Sewaktu nahas, Pesawat EgyptAir MS804 dalam perjalanan dari Paris ke sebelum hilang di laut Mediterranean.
![Waris penumpang nahas EgyptAir terima pampasan awal RM100 ribu Waris penumpang nahas EgyptAir terima pampasan awal RM100 ribu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/81463930607_EgyptAir.jpg)
Waris penumpang nahas EgyptAir terima pampasan awal RM100 ribu
Waris 66 penumpang pesawat EgyptAir yang terkorban bulan lalu akan menerima bayaran pampasan pendahuluan kira-kira RM100 ribu.
![Kotak hitam kedua pesawat EgyptAir ditemui Kotak hitam kedua pesawat EgyptAir ditemui](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-06/81466038345_EgyptAir.jpg)
Kotak hitam kedua pesawat EgyptAir ditemui
Pasukan pencari telah menjumpai kotak hitam kedua daripada pesawat EgyptAir MS804 yang terhempas di Laut Mediteranean sebulan lalu.
![Perakam suara pesawat EgyptAir ditemui Perakam suara pesawat EgyptAir ditemui](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-06/81466038345_EgyptAir.jpg)
Perakam suara pesawat EgyptAir ditemui
Perakam terbabit ditemui dalam keadaan berkecai namun pakar telah berjaya menemui cip memori yang penting, menurut satu kenyataan dikeluarkan hari ini.
![Isyarat berkemungkinan dari kotak hitam pesawat EgyptAir dikesan Isyarat berkemungkinan dari kotak hitam pesawat EgyptAir dikesan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/61463737707_EgyptAir.jpg)
Isyarat berkemungkinan dari kotak hitam pesawat EgyptAir dikesan
Isyarat itu dikesan kapal tentera laut Perancis menggunakan sistem pengesan akustik semasa misi pencarian pesawat Airbus A320 berkenaan.
!['Dia Semanis Honey' kata carian terhangat di Google Malaysia untuk Mei 2016 'Dia Semanis Honey' kata carian terhangat di Google Malaysia untuk Mei 2016](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/51464690838_DiaSemanisHoney.jpg)
'Dia Semanis Honey' kata carian terhangat di Google Malaysia untuk Mei 2016
'Dia Semanis Honey' yang disiarkan di Astro Ria muncul kata carian terhangat di Google Malaysia untuk Mei 2016. Siri drama ini dibintangi Siti Nordiana dan Alif Satar.
![Nahas EgyptAir: Kapal tentera Perancis sertai pencarian kotak hitam Nahas EgyptAir: Kapal tentera Perancis sertai pencarian kotak hitam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/51464408181_FrenchnavalForceS.jpg)
Nahas EgyptAir: Kapal tentera Perancis sertai pencarian kotak hitam
Kapal tentera laut Perancis yang mengkhusus dalam pencarian bawah laut menyertai operasi pencarian kotak hitam pesawat EgyptAir yang terhempas minggu lalu.
![#ICYMI: Berita Pilihan Pengarang (16 - 22 Mei) #ICYMI: Berita Pilihan Pengarang (16 - 22 Mei)](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-11/61448272019_PilihanPengarang.jpg)
#ICYMI: Berita Pilihan Pengarang (16 - 22 Mei)
BERIKUT adalah senarai berita pilihan pengarang Astro AWANI untuk minggu bermula 16 Mei hingga 22 Mei 2016.
![Lawatan kerja dibatal, lelaki British hampir jadi mangsa nahas pesawat EgyptAir Lawatan kerja dibatal, lelaki British hampir jadi mangsa nahas pesawat EgyptAir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-05/81463826502_EgyptAir.jpg)
Lawatan kerja dibatal, lelaki British hampir jadi mangsa nahas pesawat EgyptAir
Ian Phillips dari Peterborough, England bernasib baik kerana masih hidup selepas lawatan kerja ke Kaherah, Khamis lalu dibatalkan pada saat terakhir.