Investigators searching for the wreckage of missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 have heard ‘pings’ from the aircraft’s flight recorders.

Divers have been dispatched to investigate the sounds, which follow the discovery of the tailfin of the plane earlier this week.

Officials have speculated the black box could have been separated from the rear part of the plane.

QZ8501 disappeared on route from Surabaya in Indonesia to Singapore on December 28th with 162 people on board.

No survivors have been found from the Airbus A320-200, with more than 40 bodies recovered from the sea. 

The cause of the crash remains unknown.

However, the plane had encountered bad weather and asked for a flight path change before communication was lost.