Re: Planespotting
 

I don't think it made it to land. I find it strange that they have taken this amount of time to admit they thought it had turned back, and overflown Malaysia. Especially as the data to support this comes from the Malaysian Air Force.

Re: Planespotting
 

The whole thing is weird, because they started searching the Malacca Straight before any announcement came out about why they were searching there. If I had been on a ship or aircraft searching in the Gulf of Thailand I'd be furious about the lack of useful information coming from the Malaysian authorities.

Looking at the map, and given that they think it turned back, I can't help but wonder if it came down even further south in the Malacca Strait, after all it is still more than 60 miles wide to the west of Kuala Lumpur, and more than 100 miles wide just 100 miles to the north. If the plane was stricken, might not the pilot want to stay over the sea as long as possible? .... And Kuala Lumpur is on the west coast, near the Malacca Strait.

Re: Planespotting
 

The problem is they don't know where to look - and inflight break-up could easily cover 100 square miles if it does so at FL370.

One suspects it wouldn't be like this if a flight disappeared over long island though.

Re: Planespotting
 

As much shipping as there is in the area, I don't think it broke up or exploded at cruising altitude. I am thinking the pilot brought it down pretty low, and that it eventually nose-dived from a very low altitude, with minimal break-up even at impact. In other words, a very small debris field and little, if any, of it floating.

Re: Planespotting
 

What reason we have had to bring it low? Or are you speculating a CFIT? I just don't see anything quick enough apart from a break up that would give the pilots no chance to give a radio message - or for the ACARS system to report it to the MAL HQ.

Re: Planespotting
 

The lack of communication is weird, as is the loss of the transponder. I was thinking more of a electrical power/ systems failure (mechanical failure, explosion, software?). I don't see CFIT as likely, and wasn't considering it.

In a dangerously impaired aircraft, surely the priority is to maximise the chances of a "good" landing, like US Airways 1549, which, in the absence of an airfield in the immediate vicinity, would mean low and over water in most cases.

I just found, over in the Canada sub-forum, this Sydney Morning Herald report, which says that the latest information seems consistent with much of my theory, above, though doesn't indicate which direction in the Malacca Strait it was headed, or where it was when contact was lost.

Re: Planespotting
 

The transponders stop sending. No radio contact with aircraft. Radar shows it turning off course and heading back towards land.

In the USA, UK or just about anywhere that would have triggered a response of a fighter intercept to establish contact with the aircraft. Hard to believe the Malaysians sat on their hands while this was going on and did nothing.

Re: Planespotting
 

A complete power failure that leads to loss of communication is improbable. In the event of that type of loss the RAT is designed to auto-deploy and provide some power for use of controls and other important electrical systems - like the radios.

This would explain the transponder\ACARS failure (and incidentally would mean the FDR and CVR would be blank) though.

Re: Planespotting
 

That had already got me thinking, that what is normal for countries facing the Iron Curtain for decades, is perhaps not normal for much of the world. :unsure:

Re: Planespotting
 

This is a pretty accurate report of what the UK does.

http://www.rense.com/general31/shootdown.htm

Re: Planespotting
 

I love all the speculation that goes on whenever a plane goes down :lol:

Re: Planespotting
 

That's the fun part - or at least what I think of as fun. Of course its terrible for all the victims, but from a purely technical standpoint. I'd love to work for the AAIB or NTSB.

Re: Planespotting
 

Yeah. I like any mystery. I would have enjoyed being a detective, perhaps, 'cept the money isn't great. :unsure: .... Or maybe a forensic pathologist! :nod:

Re: Planespotting
 

Yeah, would be a cool job. One of the vest lectures I had training for my old job was from an AAIB guy. Was also interesting to see them go about their work in the aftermath of the LHR 777 crash. Used to enjoy watching Air Craft Investigation too on Nat Geo, especially just before a flight. My ex, as a nervous flyer used to go mad when I stuck it on :lol:

Re: Planespotting
 

Especially in these circumstances.