Plane is at 'Bottom of Sea' Fear Officials, as Search for Missing AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Resumes on Second Day

The search on Monday began in the Java Sea.

AirAsia flight went missing near Indonesian airspace.Route map of QZ8501 via Jason Rabinowitz on FlightRadar24

Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency fears that the missing AirAsia plane was likely at the bottom of the sea, as the distraught nation resumed the search for the missing flight on Monday.

AirAsia flight QZ 8501 disappeared on Sunday minutes after the pilot asked for permission to change the route while flying from Surabaya to Singapore.

The search on Monday began in the Java Sea, with two C-130 Hercules planes searching areas northeast of Indonesia's Bangka island.

While reports of a plane crash emerged on Sunday, no confirmation has yet been given. However, officials fear the worst.

The chief of Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency said that the plane was likely at the bottom of the sea, AFP reported on Monday.

"Based on the coordinates given to us and evaluation that the estimated crash position is in the sea, the hypothesis is the plane is at the bottom of the sea," Bambang Soelistyo said at a press conference.