An AirAsia 8501 crash update never fails to elicit sad sentiments from people across the world. Five months after Airbus A320-200 headed towards Singapore crashed into the Java Sea amidst stormy weather, investigations and media coverage continue to remind people of the nightmarish incident.

Enormous piles of mangled metal, bones and even smashed phones were but some of the things that served as grim reminder of the tragedy that befell 162 people onboard the aircraft.

Although the state spearheading investigations is expected to release its final report within a year after the crash, in keeping with guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the pieces of the puzzle are gradually beginning to fit. Indonesia's report may be in by August. 

There have been several  videos, including a 60-minute documentary by Discovery Channel. Explored,  based on an aviation expert's perspective, were the pitfalls of an aircraft caught in a midair stall and extraneous factors like weather disturbance.

Another video also pointed out just how things can go terribly wrong if people had information or tech overload.  The said video mentioned the importance of  assessing technology that can protect, rather than derail, the flights of the future.  Indeed, one valuable lesson learned is that air safety measures must be heightened now, more than ever, to avoid casualties.

It turned out that it was French co-pilot, Remi Plesel who flew the plane before it made its sharp descent, not  pilot Captain Iriyanto.

The ill-fated aircraft's pilot had requested to redirect and fly above the storm, to no avail. The plane's fuselage was found in the Java Sea middle of January. By mid-April, dismembered body parts that were part of 115 remains, a huge chunk of which were from passengers who perished, were recovered.

Beyond tarnishing the airline's reputation, the AirAsia 8501 crash and repercussions had understandably led to a dip in Surabaya, Indonesia's tourism industry.