US reviewing Indonesian request for help in locating missing plane

The United States said Monday that it was reviewing Indonesia's request for aid in locating a missing AirAsia plane with 162 passengers on board.[Special coverage]

State Department spokesman Jeffrey Rathke told reporters that the American Embassy in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, was in " close contact" with Indonesian officials and Washington received a request for help from the Indonesian government Monday.

"We are reviewing that request to find out how best we can meet Indonesia's request for assistance," he said at a daily news briefing, adding the process would take some time.

The rescue efforts expanded Monday, with more countries joining the sea and aerial search operation for the ill-fated jetliner, an Airbus A320-200 that disappeared from radar Sunday en route from Surabaya in Indonesia's east Java to Singapore after the pilot requested a change of flight plan due to stormy weather.

The flight lost contact with the ground after the air traffic control consented to the pilot's request to change flight route but not climb higher.