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Garneau said there was a worrying correlation between the crashes. In certain circumstances, the planes’ systems try to tilt their noses down, contrary to the efforts of pilots — a pattern that was seen in both flights before they crashed.

“I would repeat once again that this is not the proof that this is the same root problem,” he emphasized. “It could be something else.”

The “safety notice” means none of the aircraft can fly into, out of, or over Canada.

Hours later, the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) gave the similar reasons for closing American airspace to the jets.

“Evidence we found on the ground made it even more likely that the flight path was very close to Lion Air’s,” said Daniel Elwell, the acting head of the FAA.

President Donald Trump announced an emergency order to ground the planes saying he “didn’t want to take any chances.”

“The safety of the American people and all people is our paramount concern,” Trump said.