WASHINGTON: The United States of America (USA) on Monday claimed that it was safe to fly 737 MAX 8 planes amid growing concerns over the safety of the airbus that crashed near the town of Bishoftu, killing all 149 passengers and eight crew members.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a “continued airworthiness notification” to assure operators of the plane saying that it was safe to fly.

It said it was collecting data on the crash and keeping in contact with international civil aviation authorities and would take immediate action if it identified any safety issues.

China and Indonesia grounded their fleets of 737 MAX 8 aircraft earlier on Monday, citing safety concerns, resulting in a drop in Boeing Co shares.

Investigators in Ethiopia found two black box recorders that will help piece together the final moments of the plane before it plunged, trailing smoke and debris, and crashed killing all the people on board.

A jet of the same model had crashed in Indonesia in last October, killing 189 people. (Agencies)