Author Topic: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China  (Read 72169 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Online mystery-ak

  • Owner
  • Administrator
  • ******
  • Posts: 381,855
  • Gender: Female
  • Let's Go Brandon!
Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« on: March 08, 2014, 12:50:24 am »
http://abcnews.go.com/International/malaysia-airlines-flight-missing-en-route-china/story?id=22827892

Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
March 8, 2014
ABC NEWS
A Malaysian Airlines flight with 227 passengers on board has gone missing, a spokeswoman has confirmed to ABC News.

The Beijing-bound flight departed Kuala Lumpur at 12:55 a.m., and was scheduled to land in Beijing at 6:30 a.m., the airline said.
Proud Supporter of Tunnel to Towers
Support the USO
Democrat Party...the Party of Infanticide

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
-Matthew 6:34

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2014, 12:57:47 am »
The aircraft is a Boeing 777-200ER.  Trying to confirm the registration number.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Online mystery-ak

  • Owner
  • Administrator
  • ******
  • Posts: 381,855
  • Gender: Female
  • Let's Go Brandon!
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2014, 01:11:25 am »

A Boeing 777-200IGW, like the one pictured, has gone missing while inflight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, March 7, 2014.
Proud Supporter of Tunnel to Towers
Support the USO
Democrat Party...the Party of Infanticide

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
-Matthew 6:34

Offline Rapunzel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 71,613
  • Gender: Female
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2014, 01:14:14 am »
Any storms enroute?
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2014, 01:16:38 am »
Just for the record, because I am an aviation geek, the 777-200IGW was renamed the -200ER about 15 years ago.

If this aircraft has been destroyed, it will be the fourth 777 hull loss.

Lots of conflicting information about flight track, registration, etc.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2014, 01:16:58 am by Atomic Cow »
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Online mystery-ak

  • Owner
  • Administrator
  • ******
  • Posts: 381,855
  • Gender: Female
  • Let's Go Brandon!
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2014, 01:19:13 am »
CNN) -- A passenger flight carrying 239 people en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing is missing, Malaysia Airlines said Saturday.

The airline said in a statement that Subang Air Traffic Control in Malaysia lost contact with Flight MH370 at 2:40 a.m. (1:40 p.m. ET Friday).


The Boeing 777-200 departed Kuala Lumpur at 12:41 a.m. and was expected to land in Beijing at 6:30 a.m., a 2,300-mile (3,700 kilometer) trip.

It was carrying 227 passengers, two of them infants, and 12 crew members, it said.

"Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft," the statement said. The public can call +603 7884 1234 for further information.

The airline operates in Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and on the route between Europe and Australasia.

"It doesn't sound very good," retired American Airlines Capt. Jim Tilmon told CNN's "AC360." He noted that the route is mostly overland, which means that there would be plenty of antennae, radar and radios to contact the plane.

"I've been trying to come up with every scenario that I could just to explain this away, but I haven't been very successful."

He said the plane is "about as sophisticated as any commercial airplane could possibly be," with an excellent safety record.

The airline's roots date back to 1937, when it operated passenger and cargo flights in Malaysia.

In April 1942, it was incorporated as Malaysia Airways Limited; it later became Malaysia Airlines.

The airline has its headquarters and registered office at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Malaysia, and its main airline hub is at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, according to its website.
Proud Supporter of Tunnel to Towers
Support the USO
Democrat Party...the Party of Infanticide

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
-Matthew 6:34

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2014, 01:23:34 am »
Only a few things would cause a modern airliner to simply disappear in flight.

Bomb

Structural failure unrelated to a criminal/terrorist act (Usually due to bad/improper maintenance/repairs)

Hijacking

Deliberate crash by a pilot (has happened before)

Pilot error

Surface to air (Patriot/SM-2, SM-3/S-300 types, not Stingers) or air to air missile
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Offline Chieftain

  • AMF, YOYO
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9,621
  • Gender: Male
  • Your what hurts??
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2014, 01:36:04 am »
As aviation buffs know, one of the major contributing factors for the Asiana crash at San Francisco was pilot error, but if you dig in deeper, the wider problem is an over-reliance on the auto pilot systems by Asian (in particular) commercial airline pilots.  There are many high hour airline pilots that might have less than one minute of actual stick time during any particular flight.  As soon as the aircraft is airborne, they engage the autopilot and let the computer fly the aircraft all the way to just before touchdown when the pilot resumes control for the final landing approach.  These guys are not comfortable with their hands on the controls, and that means they are poorly prepared for just about any emergency, as most of them have "Bold Face" actions steps that require instant action by the pilot, and there is no time for him to figure out what the computer is telling him while the plane flies itself into the side of a mountain.

US airlines and the FAA have come close more than once, to outright banning pilots from certain countries (South Korea leads the list) along with several airlines (including Asiana).  These pilots have historically been some of the  most poorly trained, and hazardous airline pilots the world has ever seen.  While "pilot error" is the term used, "pilot incompetence" would be more descriptive.  "Controlled flight into terrain" is another of my favorites.....

Let's wait for some facts.
« Last Edit: March 08, 2014, 01:36:29 am by Chieftain »

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2014, 01:38:03 am »
Any storms enroute?

Weather looks clear.

Another possibility I forgot, mid air collision.  It would not be the first time.  I can think of three major accidents within the last 20 years or so caused by mid air collisions not involving something small like a fighter or Cessna.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2014, 01:47:20 am »

We deeply regret that we have lost all contacts with flight MH370 which departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 am earlier this morning bound for Beijing. The aircraft was scheduled to land at Beijing International Airport at 6.30am local Beijing time. Subang Air Traffic Control reported that it lost contact at 2.40am (local Malaysia time) today.

Flight MH370 was operated on a Boeing B777-200 aircraft. The flight was carrying a total number of 239 passengers and crew – comprising 227 passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members. The passengers were of 13 different nationalities. Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft. Our team is currently calling the next-of-kin of passengers and crew.

Focus of the airline is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and mobilize its full support. Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members. The airline will provide regular updates on the situation.

The public may contact +603 7884 1234. For media queries, kindly contact +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.

Next-of-kin may head to the Support Facility Building at KLIA’s South Support Zone. For directions, call 03 8787 1269.

http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/site/dark-site.html
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Online mystery-ak

  • Owner
  • Administrator
  • ******
  • Posts: 381,855
  • Gender: Female
  • Let's Go Brandon!
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2014, 01:48:47 am »
« Last Edit: March 08, 2014, 01:49:17 am by mystery-ak »
Proud Supporter of Tunnel to Towers
Support the USO
Democrat Party...the Party of Infanticide

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
-Matthew 6:34

Offline Chieftain

  • AMF, YOYO
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9,621
  • Gender: Male
  • Your what hurts??
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2014, 01:49:32 am »
Weather looks clear.

Another possibility I forgot, mid air collision.  It would not be the first time.  I can think of three major accidents within the last 20 years or so caused by mid air collisions not involving something small like a fighter or Cessna.

They are just as likely to have flown the plane into the ocean while trying to un-frack the computer.

 :smokin:

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2014, 01:51:09 am »

Don't trust Flightaware too much on stuff like this.  I've seen numerous flights "disappear" on FA and in the end, nothing has happened.

It disappeared 2 hours after takeoff, much farther along the FA shows.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Offline sinkspur

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 28,567
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #13 on: March 08, 2014, 01:57:13 am »
Ran out of fuel.  That's the latest I'm hearing.
Roy Moore's "spiritual warfare" is driving past a junior high without stopping.

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #14 on: March 08, 2014, 02:04:30 am »
Ran out of fuel.  That's the latest I'm hearing.

I would avoid believing anything like that right now.

While that is possible, there are about a dozen of other things that could have happened which all make equal sense.  Given the fact that it had over 7 hours of fuel on board, and disappeared after 2 hours of flight, fuel starvation seems unlikely.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Offline Rapunzel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 71,613
  • Gender: Female
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #15 on: March 08, 2014, 02:07:21 am »
I would avoid believing anything like that right now.

While that is possible, there are about a dozen of other things that could have happened which all make equal sense.  Given the fact that it had over 7 hours of fuel on board, and disappeared after 2 hours of flight, fuel starvation seems unlikely.

It had seven hours of fuel which means it would NOW be out of fuel, not that it ran out of fuel and crashed because of fuel starvation.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #16 on: March 08, 2014, 02:11:52 am »
It had seven hours of fuel which means it would NOW be out of fuel, not that it ran out of fuel and crashed because of fuel starvation.

Yes, but it disappeared ~2 hours into the flight so running out of fuel causing the disappearance is unlikely.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Offline Rapunzel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 71,613
  • Gender: Female
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #17 on: March 08, 2014, 02:13:02 am »
Yes, but it disappeared ~2 hours into the flight so running out of fuel causing the disappearance is unlikely.

exactly. 

It was reported at 35,000 feet when it went silent,
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline Gazoo

  • Inactive Members
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,959
« Last Edit: March 08, 2014, 02:25:36 am by Gazoo »
"The Tea Party has a right to feel cheated.

When does the Republican Party, put in the majority by the Tea Party, plan to honor its commitment to halt the growth of the Federal monolith and bring the budget back into balance"?

Offline Rapunzel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 71,613
  • Gender: Female
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #19 on: March 08, 2014, 02:35:17 am »
The last two people Megyn Kelly interviews (one the former head of FAA) said what Chief said here... too much depending on the computers and not enough training.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline happyg

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11,820
  • Gender: Female
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #20 on: March 08, 2014, 02:37:42 am »
A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 239 people en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing is missing, the airline confirmed.

A Malaysia Airlines Boeing B777-200/ Wikimedia Commons
The Boeing 777-200 aircraft had 227 passengers, including two infants, and 12 crew members on board, the airline said in a statement. The passengers were of 13 different nationalities.

 
"Our team is currently calling the next-of-kin of passengers and crew," the airlines' group chief executive officer, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, said in a statement. "Focus of the airline is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and mobilize its full support."


"Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members," he added.

Flight MH370 departed from Kuala Lumpur at 12:41 a.m. Saturday local time, according to a statement from the airline. Air traffic control in Subang lost contact with it two hours later.


It was scheduled to land in Beijing at 6:30 a.m. the same day.

China's CCTV said 160 Chinese nationals were on board the flight, according to microblogging website Weibo.
Chinese state TV also reported there had not been any reports received yet about any aircraft crashed in Chinese waters.

State news agency Xinhua reported radar contact with the flight was lost while it was in Vietnamese airspace.


China is helping to locate the aircraft, Chinese state television said on one of its official microblogs.


If the plane is found to have crashed, the loss would mark the second fatal accident involving a Boeing 777 in less than a year, after an unblemished safety record since the jet entered service in 1995.

Last summer, an Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 crash landed in San Francisco, killing three passengers.

Boeing said it was aware of reports that the Malaysia Airlines plane was missing and was monitoring the situation but had no further comment.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/malaysia-airlines-loses-contact-with-plane-en-route-to-beijing-with-239-aboard/

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #21 on: March 08, 2014, 02:39:05 am »
The last two people Megyn Kelly interviews (one the former head of FAA) said what Chief said here... too much depending on the computers and not enough training.

That's been noted as a real problem after the Asiana crash in SFO.

However, it is not the first time that pilot error has been related to technology.  The first generation of jets had issues with pilots NOT replying on their electronics and trying to fly "by the seat of their pants."  A 707 or DC-8 handles a lot differently than a DC-7 or Boeing 377.

And John Scott is a moron.  Saying that if a door or window blows out, everyone dies instantly.  That is complete and utter bunk.  Look at the story of United Airlines Flight 811.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Offline Rapunzel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 71,613
  • Gender: Female
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #22 on: March 08, 2014, 02:40:14 am »
Jon Scott (himself a pilot) said it looks like it was  or should have been over the South China Sea.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #23 on: March 08, 2014, 02:41:37 am »
Merged topics.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Offline Atomic Cow

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18,221
  • Gender: Male
  • High Yield Minion
Re: Malaysia Airlines Flight Goes Missing En Route to China
« Reply #24 on: March 08, 2014, 02:45:13 am »
China is saying that 160 of the passengers were their citizens and that despite Twitter rumors, the aircraft did not land somewhere in China.

There were passengers from 13 different countries.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton