A Fox News presenter who commented that the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 may have disappeared because the pilots used metric, rather than imperial, measurement systems has been lambasted online.

Footage appears to show presenter Anna Kooiman link the use of different measurement systems to the safety of flights abroad.

AirAsia Flight QZ8501 disappeared en route from Indonesia to Singapore on Sunday. Rescue teams, including warships, planes and search boats, have been scrambled in an attempt to locate the missing flight and all 162 passengers on board.

Speaking to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson Scott Brenner, Kooiman says: "It’s kilometres or miles. You know, everything about their training could be similar, but different."

She continues: “So it’s not just differences in the way that we measure things, it is a difference in the way that our pilots are actually trained, is it not as safe in that part of the world?

“Because a lot of our viewers may be thinking international travel – is it safe?” She finishes by asking her interviewee, while her co-chairs can be seen shifting uncomfortably next to her.

Social media was not far behind critiquing her assessment of the situation. One Twitter user wrote: "I guess Fox News might start suggesting wormholes soon too."

Local authorities today reported that there has been a sighting of two oily spots near the area where the plane is believed to have gone down.

Search authorities are refusing to speculate on the find, claiming it is too early to know what the significance of the find may be.

(Independent.co.uk)

Online Editors