Posted on 03/12/2014 2:54:14 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
Search teams are scouring waters off both sides of the Malaysian peninsula, amid confusion over a missing Malaysia Airlines plane's last known location.
Malaysia's air force chief has denied reports that the plane was tracked to the Malacca Strait in the west.
Vietnam has despatched a plane to investigate an eyewitness report of a possible object burning in the sky east of Vietnam. --SNIP--
On Wednesday, Malaysia's air force chief Rodzali Daud denied remarks attributed to him in local media that a missing Malaysia Airlines plane was tracked by military radar to the Malacca Strait, far west of its planned route.
Gen Daud said he "did not make any such statements", but the air force had "not ruled out the possibility of an air turn-back".
Meanwhile, Vietnam said it had deployed aircraft to investigate a possible sighting of the plane.
Doan Huu Gia, deputy general director of Vietnam's air traffic management, said: "We received an email from a New Zealander who works on one of the oil rigs off Vung Tau.
"He said he spotted a burning [object] at that location, some 300 km (200 miles) southeast of Vung Tau."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Didn’t work for Payne Stewart.
Among your biggest and best HITS ever. Now for something more hugh and series please given the tragedy that has occurred.
Maybe because PR and drama is what they want...just not quite ready to do the deed? This is such a mystery to me because I don’t know if what happened has already happened- plane crashed, all dead and just not located yet or if this is just the beginning of something that has not yet played out.
Yes very. Something I had thought of as well.
Not very likely. AFAIK pilots don't manually enter the waypoints, coordinates, etc., by themselves but data already preloaded, we had in special 8-track mag tape, now maybe in special disk or uploaded.
This MH370 lost in the night sky is out of ordinary:
ATC transponder was turned off (like the 9-11 hijackers did, you'd be flying as UFO without squaking)
ADS-B stopped transmitting
Subang ATC couldn't contact the plane but a Narita-bound 777 pilots got them on radio (VHF?) whoever in the other end didn't sound like neither MH370 pilots.
Families saw some passengers' smartphones online on Tecent QQ, how on earth could that be?
It was red-eye flight the terrorists onboard could have force landed it at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport, Kota Baru, towed the plane to a big hangar under the cover of darkness, took all onboard captives except for the terrorists, confiscated all mobile phones, etc.
"AFAIK"is exactly correct. As far as you know.
Rest your heart and mind, its no longer an 8 track mag tape. Yes, many companies (not all) have pre loaded routes. Any number of circumstances on a regular basis changes routing. SIDs, STARs, traffic, restricted airspace, blah blah blah. Pretty much routine "stuff"
"Flying as UFO without squawking."
If you have been previously identified, you are not exactly an UFO. You just not squawking detailed information such as your altitude. When a flight crew realize they may have busted an altitude, investigation shows in many cases, they instinctively turn off the transponder. Not unusual.
Yes the hijackers of 9/11 turned off the transponder in 3 of the 4 aircraft. So now anytime a transponder is turned off, you are going to conclude it was a hijacking? Wow.
"ADS-B turned off"
Who really knows and more importantly who really cares. I can think at least a dozen or more times last year, pilots forgot to turn it on. Has no meaning in this specific moment
"Narita bound pilot got them on radio"
That report turned out to be false. Once again, more than half of what you read in the media is full of crap, half truths and lies
"Mobil phones online"
Most Asians here believe in ghosts. So if that floats your boat and make you want to believe that a land shark came up and bit them, have at it. Enjoy
“There were lots of military strips laid down during WWII in this part of the world. None of which could take a plane that weighs as much as a 777.”
Just out of curiosity, what facts do you have to support your statement? Or, was it a GEICO commercial, “everybody knows that” kinda thing :)
I can’t prove a negative, but how many aircraft of WWII weighed 200,000#. None of them did. The B-29 maxed at 155000, but they were flown out of the Marianas, a B-24 72,000. Most of the airstrips were originally rebuilt by the Japs as they took over these areas. After the Allies came back, these bases were returned to duty for USAAF. The US wasn’t staying in one place. A 777 weighs over 300,000 empty. So, the Americans couldn’t even conceive during the war years, of a plane over twice as big as a B-29. I doubt there was an airfield in the US at the time that could have handle something of that weight.
What equipment do you fly? Where is Philippians???
Apparently they the plane's transponders were turned off intentionally but they weren't aware the airplane also sent at least engine data to Boeing and Rolls Royce that the plane was airborned for another four hours after it vanished from radar.
There are two online reputable news sites saying secret negotiation with the hijackers are ongoing, too.
MAS opted out ACARS that would enable MAS people receive jet-data via satellite, according to the acting Malaysia transport minister. He didn’t know there are Boeing and Rolls Royce engineers working at MAS sites where they have access to the jet-data but they’re forbidden to talk around because they signed NDAs.
“Malaysia Airlines MH370: Confusion over plane last location
March 12, 2014 at 9:45:14 PM CDT · 89 of 93
xone to snoringbear
I can’t prove a negative, but how many aircraft of WWII weighed 200,000#. None of them did. The B-29 maxed at 155000, but they were flown out of the Marianas, a B-24 72,000. Most of the airstrips were originally rebuilt by the Japs as they took over these areas. After the Allies came back, these bases were returned to duty for USAAF. The US wasn’t staying in one place. A 777 weighs over 300,000 empty. So, the Americans couldn’t even conceive during the war years, of a plane over twice as big as a B-29. I doubt there was an airfield in the US at the time that could have handle something of that weight.”
Well, not really looking for an argument but I do enjoy a good discussion. You’ve done tour homework on the B-29 as far as you went. But, there are some other factors that you may not have considered, such as the B-29 landing gear only has two wheels per side (total of four). The 777 landing gear has six wheels per side (total of twelve). So, the weight distribution on the 777 may very well be spread over a larger foot print than the 777, thereby apply less stress on a given landing strip. Concerning runway length for each; most runways built for the B-29 around 8,000 feet give or take. The 777 needs about 11,000 feet to take off fully loaded. But, I’m guessing a good 777 pilot could lift a 777 off at 8,000 feet if he or she had to.
Concerning your Comment “Americans couldn’t even conceive during the war years, of a plane over twice as big as a B-29. “. I give you the B-36 to contemplate. The B-36 was conceived in the late 30’s when the possibility of England being invaded by the Nazis was very real. So, the U.S. Began designing a ultra long range bomber (B-36) that could fly non-stop from the continental US to Germany and back and deliver a payload of bombs while doing do. But, The Brits won the Battle of Britain and Hitler turned his attention eastward toward Russia (big mistake) and the B-36 went on-line after WWII was over. Anyway, wonder where that 777 is? Now, there’s some chatter that it may be in Pakistan. This would make a great Tom Clancy novel :)
Gross weight still is weight. The B36 combat weight is still 60k less than the 777 empty. Even its max is 410k. The 777 max is 766k. Inconceivable in the 40s even without the jet engines. There were B29 fields where the ac had to be towed because they were so rough. I don't doubt that someone could land a 777 on a field of sufficient length of that era. They just won't be leaving from it with any payload.
I think it is a submarine now. If it was hijacked somewhere with plans to re-use it, it will be with some state actor's assistance.
“Gross weight still is weight. “
Well, it is and it isn’t. Weight or pressure per a given unit is what determines stress levels. I’m trying to think of a good example for you. How about an Abrams tank; it’s weight I’d distributed across a large tracked surface which reduces its weight per surface unit over other drive systems which would not be capable of supporting it on the surface of sand, mud, etc. a good source that you may find helpful is the wikipedia site for the B-36. The B-36 had to deal with this exact problem. The plane first only had one huge wheel per side. The concrete literally crumbled under so much pressure applied to such a small area. The problem was solved by installing what is referred to in the aircraft business as “trucks” of four wheels per side.
Concerning where the 777 may be; odds are in your favor that it is indeed a submarine. But, that’s no fun, my theory keeps the intrigue alive :)
That theory won’t get airborne. I’ll grant that you could get it on the ground, just don’t buy the surface holding up for a takeoff with useful load.
Do you know if there are hangars at Kota Baru that could conceal a 777?
I kinda doubt it, but if you know better, say so.
“That theory won’t get airborne. I’ll grant that you could get it on the ground, just don’t buy the surface holding up for a takeoff with useful load.”
There was a retired 777 pilot on Fox about thirty minutes ago who addressed exactly what we are discussing. When asked where could hijackers hide this plane? He stated that there are plenty of old air strips around the world built during previous that could be used. He also addressed your contention concerning taking off. He did say that while landing the plane on a shorter runway than desired would not be an issue, taking off with a full load could be a problem. So, it seems to me, assuming the aircraft has been snatched for a nefarious purpose, the question is for what purpose was the plane high jacked? Keep in mind that there would probably be only a few people on board and cargo could be removed. And, depending on the location of the plane in relation to the location of the objective, a full load of fuel may not be required. And, of course, the length of the runway is a critical variable. So, there you have it. Go figure...
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