The black box of an aircraft is usually installed in the fin portion of a plane located towards the end of an aircraft, and this portion of the AirAsia QZ8501 has been allegedly located. Hence, it is possible that the all-important black box will soon fall into the hands of experts on the case.

It has been located, following the discovery of what is believed to be the tail section of the plane, by an Indonesian naval ship. Once it is finally taken out, it will be known what actually happened to the Airbus A320 and a probable idea of the sequence of events when it crashed over the Java Sea on December 28.

Of course, officials are playing it safe about this find, and Yayan Sofyan"Ž, captain of the patrol vessel, has informed to reporters, "We found what has a high probability of being the tail of the plane."

At the same time, the head of Indonesia's search and rescue agency, Fransiskus Bambang Soelistyo, added, "I am not saying it's the tail yet. ... That is suspected. Now we are trying to confirm it."

The retrieval of bodies is a long drawn process especially in view of the high waves and turbulent ocean. Indonesia's armed forces chief General Moeldoko has indicated that the distraught families would be given an opportunity to go to the crash site, 90 nautical miles off the coast of Borneo island, in an Indonesian naval ship. It is hoped that such a trip could help to lessen their sorrow and help them mourn.