Missing Malaysia Airlines jet carrying 239 triggers Southeast Asia search

[steve73]

I would like to know this.

Does the USA always send out FBI to these situations so quickly?

Did they do that with Air france?

Furthermore,

Is it normal for passengers relatives to be "mustered" at the Airline Companies home base? I'd have thought it better to allow them to remain in their own countries to be with other friends/family at this very difficult time. So why get them all together elsewhere?

I really don't know about this - I'm simply asking.

[Tywais]

Malaysian air force confirms signal of MH370 turning back on Saturday

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Butterworth received a signal that the missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight MH370 turned back in South China Sea airspace on Saturday.

Malay-language daily Berita Harian reported that RMAF chief General Tan Sri Rodzali Daud as confirming that the Butterworth base had received the plane's signal.

It quoted Rodzali as saying that the signal received indicated that the plane followed its original route before it entered the airspace above the northern east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

"The last time the plane could be traced by an air control tower was near Pulau Perak, which is on the Straits of Malacca at 2.40am.

"After that, the signal from the plane was lost," he said.

It was also reported that a Singaporean air traffic surveillance and control unit also picked up the signal that MH370 "made a turn back before it was reported to have climbed 1,000 metres from its original altitude at 10,000 metres”.

my.news.yahoo

[harrry]

Hi,

For me the biggest threat to aviation is an uncontrollable fire onboard. As stated above the aviate, navigate and communicate technique is used extensively within aviation. The navigation part is get the aircraft pointed to where you want or need to go. With the uncontrollable fire case that option may well be to ditch the aircraft.

The final report on the UPS crash in the Middle East is a sobering account on how quickly things can develop.

Boeing's guidance on smoke fire or fumes that are uncontrollable dictates an immediate landing. If a severe situation then amongst the options is to consider ditching.

The 777 has had a couple of cockpit fires. Though I am not suggesting this is the case here.

[phuketrichard]

I would like to know this.

Does the USA always send out FBI to these situations so quickly?

Did they do that with Air france?

when Americans are involved;

yes

[goatfarmer]

BBC just reported that the military radar tracked a possible target across the straits of Malacca -- heading west or south-west. This, combined with the reports of fishermen sightings of a low-flying jet heading that way, make me lean towards a sophisticated hi-jacking.

It's a complete turn around ...crossing southern Thailand heading towards Indonesia. Why has this taken so long to surface ?

Indeed. It's not likely that this critical piece of information has just come to light to investigating officials.

And if the information is correct and had been know all along, why bother searching in the Gulf of Thailand for two days?

[Shot]

BBC just reported that the military radar tracked a possible target across the straits of Malacca -- heading west or south-west. This, combined with the reports of fishermen sightings of a low-flying jet heading that way, make me lean towards a sophisticated hi-jacking.

It's a complete turn around ...crossing southern Thailand heading towards Indonesia. Why has this taken so long to surface ?

Indeed. It's not likely that this critical piece of information has just come to light to investigating officials.

And if the information is correct and had been know all along, why bother searching in the Gulf of Thailand for two days?

A red herring perhaps?

[laolover88]

So now this is where the plane could be!

http://www.gcmap.com/map?P=PEK,+KUL,+&R=2100nm%406%B0+56%27+12N+103%B0+35%27+6E,+2600nm%406%B0+56%27+12N+103%B0+35%27+6E&MS=wls&MR=600&MX=540x540&PM=*&PC=%23ff0000&RC=%23000080

To fly low intentionally missing primary radar would burn tons of fuel reducing range.

Absolutely, unless it could have been returned to altitude. Have they not established, yet, whether, apart from crew,

there was anyone else on board who could fly a plane? The problem with the much favoured hijack theory is who? and why?

and to where?

Must be a lot of pissed off people been trawling the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea if Malaysian Military knewthis! Or maybe it turned round and then went back, again!!! Or maybe!? What else?!

[goatfarmer]

Here's a thought -- the plane probably had enough fuel to get to Somalia.......

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zZmvH169Bb6M.kHWvg2auxxR8

Sophisticated hi-jacking maybe...The

security authorities should know more -- which may be why we're not hearing much

Most plausible conspiracy theory to date. Perhaps the hijackers gained entry to the cockpit by masquerading as blonde Australian girls.

[noddy77]

So now this is where the plane could be!

http://www.gcmap.com/map?P=PEK,+KUL,+&R=2100nm%406%B0+56%27+12N+103%B0+35%27+6E,+2600nm%406%B0+56%27+12N+103%B0+35%27+6E&MS=wls&MR=600&MX=540x540&PM=*&PC=%23ff0000&RC=%23000080

To fly low intentionally missing primary radar would burn tons of fuel reducing range.

Absolutely, unless it could have been returned to altitude. Have they not established, yet, whether, apart from crew,

there was anyone else on board who could fly a plane? The problem with the much favoured hijack theory is who? and why?

and to where?

I don't think they are telling us what they know. Never have.

[coma]

BBC just reported that the military radar tracked a possible target across the straits of Malacca -- heading west or south-west. This, combined with the reports of fishermen sightings of a low-flying jet heading that way, make me lean towards a sophisticated hi-jacking.

Doesn't it what. Carried out with 'military' precision. Any group carrying out such an operation would need to have access to classified flight path info, radar blind spots etc etc. Highly sophisticated as you say.

[draftvader]

West. Then slipping up the Bay of Bengal over Bangladesh (low population), Sikkim (again low population), up over the Himalayas and into Tibet. Finally onto Xinjiang. Doable with the fuel load. Flown by the pilot or co-pilot (or both).

[Prbkk]

So now this is where the plane could be!

http://www.gcmap.com/map?P=PEK,+KUL,+&R=2100nm%406%B0+56%27+12N+103%B0+35%27+6E,+2600nm%406%B0+56%27+12N+103%B0+35%27+6E&MS=wls&MR=600&MX=540x540&PM=*&PC=%23ff0000&RC=%23000080

To fly low intentionally missing primary radar would burn tons of fuel reducing range.

Absolutely, unless it could have been returned to altitude. Have they not established, yet, whether, apart from crew,

there was anyone else on board who could fly a plane? The problem with the much favoured hijack theory is who? and why?

and to where?

I don't think they are telling us what they know. Never have.

Indeed they are not telling , in fact they are saying they are not telling us everything. It seems pretty unlikely that it could have anything to do with a couple of Iranians wanting to emigrate to Europe though

[draftvader]

BBC just reported that the military radar tracked a possible target across the straits of Malacca -- heading west or south-west. This, combined with the reports of fishermen sightings of a low-flying jet heading that way, make me lean towards a sophisticated hi-jacking.

Doesn't it what. Carried out with 'military' precision. Any group carrying out such an operation would need to have access to classified flight path info, radar blind spots etc etc. Highly sophisticated as you say.

Everything for a price round here.....

[Chicog]

I would like to know this.

Does the USA always send out FBI to these situations so quickly?

Did they do that with Air france?

I think with the presumption of a lost aircraft, some dodgy passports and Iran, they were probably racing to the airport.

[coma]

The misinformation, and conflicting reports, are going to make Malaysian Airlines

and example of how NOT to handle an air disaster... I still think this airplane has

been hijacked ,electronics disabled, and was flown under the radar to an unknown

destination. The United States has spy satellites that can read the serial number of

a dollar bill you are holding. If there was wreckage floating around, they would have

found it.

People carrying out such a hijacking would need to be very well informed and intelligent people. I am sure that if they thought up this very elaborate plot to steal and aircraft and passengers, then I am sure they thought up a good idea on how to hide it from site.

[Chicog]

This is a novel approach:

http://www.smh.com.au/world/search-for-malaysia-airlines-plane-turns-to-crowdsourcing-for-clues-20140311-34ja9.html

[steve73]

Anyone able to read Malaysian... I found this on avherald.com discussion board - seems to be the original report of sighting in Malacca Strait.

From
"Turut menerima isyarat pesawat berkenaan berpatah balik sebelum dilaporkan tiba-tiba terbang dengan ketinggian paras 1,000 meter dari kedudukan asalnya 10,000 meter, adalah Unit Kawalan dan Pengawasan Trafik Udara di Singapura. "

Here's my (the original posters') translation (I read Malay, but a little rusty):
The signal of the plane turning back before suddenly flying at an altitude of 1,000 meters from its original position of 10,000 meters was also received by the Unit Air Traffic Control and Surveillance in Singapore.

Apols to the mod for posting non-english, but thought it might be useful...

[goatfarmer]

BBC just reported that the military radar tracked a possible target across the straits of Malacca -- heading west or south-west. This, combined with the reports of fishermen sightings of a low-flying jet heading that way, make me lean towards a sophisticated hi-jacking.

Doesn't it what. Carried out with 'military' precision. Any group carrying out such an operation would need to have access to classified flight path info, radar blind spots etc etc. Highly sophisticated as you say.

The report of the fisherman's sighting, although unconfirmed, is difficult to dismiss as mere crankery. Nor is it most probably evidence of hijacking.

[Tywais]

Anyone able to read Malaysian... I found this on avherald.com discussion board - seems to be the original report of sighting in Malacca Strait.

From

"Turut menerima isyarat pesawat berkenaan berpatah balik sebelum dilaporkan tiba-tiba terbang dengan ketinggian paras 1,000 meter dari kedudukan asalnya 10,000 meter, adalah Unit Kawalan dan Pengawasan Trafik Udara di Singapura. "

Here's my (the original posters') translation (I read Malay, but a little rusty):

The signal of the plane turning back before suddenly flying at an altitude of 1,000 meters from its original position of 10,000 meters was also received by the Unit Air Traffic Control and Surveillance in Singapore.

Apols to the mod for posting non-english, but thought it might be useful...

See my previous post - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-50?p=7549473#entry7549473

[laobali]

I know of pilots who have the PMDG addons for Flightsim. They say it keeps them sharp. Very realistic in their view.

Fair enough, but I wonder if the average operating pilot does this for his own current aircraft type or only the more passionate/extreme/fanatical.

You would be surprised what lengths some simmers go to. One guy, had a set up that he had a passenger cabin set up in gis attic. He world have friends and neighbours round. While he flew the flight. They would watch an in flight video, while his wife served food and drinks.I'm happy with a yoke and pedals and righting AI flightplans for a group I'm with. His set up was not out of the ordinary for a dedicated simmer.

All good, harmless fun, but was he a 'real' pilot or just a wannabe?

This MAS captain was more than a flightsimmer/gamer. His wellwishers' dedication site has photos of his homemade 777 simulator with controls, SIX large monitors and touchscreens. One can only imagine what simulations he may have been running on his own and unsupervised, possibly way beyond the scope of normal flight crew simulator training for standard operating and emergency procedures, route flying and airport approaches - and for whose benefit? I find it odd.

http://www.sharelor.net/1/post/2014/03/tribute-who-exactly-is-malaysia-airlines-captain-zaharie-shah-of-mh370.html

[Tywais]

Malaysian military now reveals it tracked MH370 to Malacca straits

In a strange twist, Malaysia's military believes it tracked the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 by radar over the Strait of Malacca, far from where it last made contact with civilian air traffic control over the Gulf of Thailand.

A military source confirmed with Reuters that the Boeing 777-200ER with 239 on board changed course and made it to the other side of the Malay peninsula.

"It changed course after Kota Baru and took a lower altitude. It made it into the Malacca Strait," the military official, who has been briefed on investigations, told Reuters.

The Strait of Malacca, one of the world's busiest shipping channels, runs along Malaysia's west coast.

The airline said on Saturday that the flight carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew last had contact off the east coast Malaysian town of Kota Baru.

The Berita Harian newspaper was the first to report this development, quoting the Royal Air Force Malaysia (RMAF) chief General Tan Sri Rodzali Daud as saying they tracked the signal to Pulau Perak on the country's west coast.

"The last time the plane could be traced by an air control tower was near Pulau Perak, which is on the Straits of Malacca at 2.40am.

"After that, the signal from the plane was lost," he said.

Incidentally, Malaysia Airlines first statement on the missing jetliner on Saturday said that air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane at 2.40am but it was later corrected to 1.30am.

It was also reported that a Singaporean air traffic surveillance and control unit also picked up the signal that MH370 "made a turn back before it was reported to have climbed 1,000 metres from its original altitude at 10,000 metres”.

It was widely reported that the plane went missing at around 1.30am while flying above the South China Sea between the Malaysian east coast and the southern coast of Vietnam.

The plane reported went off radar and its last known location was 065515 North (longitude) and 1033443 East (latitude).

This is also supported with police reports made by some east coast residents, who claimed that they have seen huge lights and a plane flying at some 1,000 metres above sea level off Kota Baru.

More here my.news.yahoo

[steve73]

Anyone able to read Malaysian... I found this on avherald.com discussion board - seems to be the original report of sighting in Malacca Strait.

From

"Turut menerima isyarat pesawat berkenaan berpatah balik sebelum dilaporkan tiba-tiba terbang dengan ketinggian paras 1,000 meter dari kedudukan asalnya 10,000 meter, adalah Unit Kawalan dan Pengawasan Trafik Udara di Singapura. "

Here's my (the original posters') translation (I read Malay, but a little rusty):

The signal of the plane turning back before suddenly flying at an altitude of 1,000 meters from its original position of 10,000 meters was also received by the Unit Air Traffic Control and Surveillance in Singapore.

Apols to the mod for posting non-english, but thought it might be useful...

See my previous post - http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/709464-missing-malaysia-airlines-jet-carrying-239-triggers-southeast-asia-search/page-50?p=7549473#entry7549473

Thanks tywais - I had seen your post, and then found the "what appears to the be original news report", as there does appear to be confusion about the height it was detected at.

[Bpuumike]

So I summarise here in a few words what I have seen in the link, compared to what I have read here before, and that does not really fit, but I am far from a specialist in this field unlike you maybe?

Plus to be honest I do not really care who is right...or not. Have a good day

That reply was a tough one to read so I cut it out as you are mixing what I said with who I originally replied to.

Suffice it to say within reason & logic it is highly unlikely to safely ditch a disabled commercial airliner

descending from 35,000' into an open ocean

I merely pointed out your example on the Hudson River was one of little comparison benefit given their low altitude & airspeed.

But even from that low altitude & low airspeed they tore open the hull of that plane too.

No need to care as there is no right or wrong here just likely conclusion given simple reason & logic.

a hudson river style landing is as possible in a calm sea as a calm river

the pilot can reduce speed and altitude as if it were a normal landing

but in the middle of the sea not much chance for the passengers survival anyway

i think id rather be killed in the crash then floating in the middle of some ocean

Doble, treble or more, the difficulty of dtching at sea at night.

[JesseFrank]

The United States has spy satellites that can read the serial number of

a dollar bill you are holding.

Don't you watch too much movies .

[Somtamnication]

This is getting painful. I cannot imagine what the families must be going through. But now it was tracked to the west coast of Malaysia.

THAT is super strange!!!

[Prbkk]

Now I don't know whether this is true or not, so don't jump on me for it...

But a site (the source is not in English, and I wasn't going to translate the page that might be complete BS) claims that the phones of the passengers on the plane are ringing, but nobody is answering.

This might mean some phones ringing

Which could mean that the plane crashed into the ground, not into the sea, since wet phones under the sea would not work nor have any signal.

I do not know how reliable this news is, as I've only seen it on this one site (true, I spent no time investigating), but it is certainly another one of the twists in this story...

Isn't there an app called find my phone? I know that I can be traced through that( but I know nothing of substance about such matters)

[goatfarmer]

Hmm… I would think that if someone hijacked the plane, and landed it somewhere, they would have made some demands by now.

What evidence do you have that someone hasn't?

[steve73]

US Military in U-Tapao apparently heard SOS message...

http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/1zx8m5/china_times_reports_that_the_us_embassy_said_the/

China Times reports that "the U.S. Embassy said the 2:43 U.S. military bases stationed in Thailand U-Tapao SOS signal was listening to some of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 emergency call, said the aircraft cabin facing disintegration driver call, t

Apologies - just realised that's very old news (2 day ago) - sorry..

[goatfarmer]

Hmm… I would think that if someone hijacked the plane, and landed it somewhere, they would have made some demands by now.

What evidence do you have that someone hasn't?

Geez... Am I getting prosecuted? Guilty until proven innocent?

I have no evidence. Like you have no evidence that anyone has made demands.

It was just a thought… An attempt to make a sense out of all this mess.

Apologies if I hit your nerve.

Guilty! Off with his head! Or perhaps mitigation in light of confession.

The point is: we don't know that demands have not been made merely because no demands have been broadcast on CNN.

[Basil B]

BBC just reported that the military radar tracked a possible target across the straits of Malacca -- heading west or south-west. This, combined with the reports of fishermen sightings of a low-flying jet heading that way, make me lean towards a sophisticated hi-jacking.

It's a complete turn around ...crossing southern Thailand heading towards Indonesia. Why has this taken so long to surface ?

Why has this taken so long to surface ? Probably because at the time it was not seen, or seen as anything unusual, obviously anybody who has radar recordings in the area has been scrutinizing them.

I presume this is just a blip with no transponder data giving ID, Squawk, and Altitude.