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MH370: Exploring compelling conspiracy theories around Malaysian Airlines’ mysterious flight disappearance episode

MH370: Exploring compelling conspiracy theories around Malaysian Airlines’ mysterious flight disappearance episode
International4 min read
On a fateful day in March 2014, flight MH370 departed from Kuala Lumpur and was supposed to land in Beijing. However, for unknown reasons, the plane sidetracked from its intended route, flying westward over the Malay Peninsula and southward into the Indian Ocean.

The aircraft's transponder and communication systems appeared to have deliberately turned off, leading investigators to believe that the deviation was not accidental but a deliberate act by someone in the cockpit. While satellite communications tracked a series of "handshakes" between the aircraft and ground stations, allowing investigators to determine that the plane flew for several hours after losing contact, data indicated that it likely followed a southerly course until it ran out of fuel and crashed into the Indian Ocean.

Even today, the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 remains one of the most perplexing aviation mysteries. The lack of concrete evidence has fueled numerous conspiracy theories, some of which have gained significant traction. Below, we explore some of the most widespread theories that attempt to explain what might have happened to the ill-fated flight.

Latest claims around MH370

A scientist from Australia's University of Tasmania claims to have cracked the mystery of the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, which disappeared on March 8, 2014. According to his research, the aircraft is believed to be located in a deep 6,000-metre trench at the eastern end of the Broken Ridge in the Southern Indian Ocean. This theory comes after years of extensive but fruitless searches in a 120,000-square-kilometre area of the Indian Ocean, leading to the suspension of the search in 2017.

The scientist's analysis, detailed in a post titled "Mystery of MH370 Solved by Science," suggests that previous searches failed due to the dismissal of critical data, specifically a flight path from the Pilot-in-Command’s home simulator. He argues that this path, intersecting with the longitude of Penang airport, leads directly to the proposed crash site. The challenging underwater terrain at this location, characterised by its ruggedness and depth, has made it difficult to locate the wreckage thus far. He emphasises that this location should be a priority for further investigation, asserting that science has now "unmistakably" pinpointed where MH370 lies.

This revelation brings renewed hope that the mystery of MH370 might finally be resolved. However, it now depends on whether official bodies and search companies decide to explore this potential crash site. The scientist’s comparison of MH370's possible damage to that of the controlled ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 further supports the plausibility of his findings, making this one of the most compelling theories yet.

Hijacking for political leverage

One of the leading theories is that MH370 was hijacked to be used as a political bargaining chip. The idea posits that the plane was taken to a remote location, possibly in Central Asia, where it remains hidden. Proponents argue that the dearth of debris and the fact that the plane's transponder was deliberately turned off support the hijacking theory.

Pilot suicide

Another theory suggests that Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, the pilot, intentionally downed the plane. Some believe he was suffering from personal issues and deliberately altered the plane's course to commit suicide. Evidence cited includes the route deviation and the fact that the plane's final communication was from the cockpit, but this theory has been heavily debated.

The patent conspiracy

A more intricate theory involves 20 engineers from Freescale Semiconductor, a company specialising in advanced electronics, who were aboard the flight. The theory suggests that the plane was downed so that the company could gain full control over a lucrative patent held by these engineers. Not only is this theory dramatic, it has also been largely debunked.

The U.S. military base theory

Some conspiracy theorists speculate that MH370 was shot down by U.S. military forces after straying too close to the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean. According to this theory, the truth has been covered up to avoid international scandal. However, there is no substantial evidence to support this claim.

Remote hijacking

This theory suggests that MH370 was taken over remotely, possibly by a foreign government or an advanced hacking group. The plane's systems, according to the theory, were commandeered from afar, leading it to an unknown location. Proponents argue that modern technology makes this scenario plausible, but there is no concrete proof.

The Russian involvement theory

Some believe that Russian operatives hijacked the plane and diverted it to Kazakhstan or Russia as a response to Western sanctions. This theory ties into geopolitical tensions and suggests that the incident was a deliberate act to show power. However, this theory lacks tangible evidence.

Cargo mystery

The plane was reportedly carrying a large cargo of lithium batteries, which some believe might have caught fire, leading to a catastrophic failure. This theory posits that the pilots attempted to turn back to land but were ultimately unsuccessful, leading the plane to crash into the ocean.

Chinese Martyrs' Brigade

Shortly after the plane disappeared, a group calling itself the "Chinese Martyrs' Brigade" claimed responsibility, stating that the act was in retaliation for Chinese government actions. However, this group was largely unknown, and many believe the claim was a hoax meant to inflame ethnic tensions.

Passengers being alive

Some theories suggest that the passengers were kept alive, citing reports that calls made to passengers' phones days after the disappearance connected instead of going straight to voicemail. However, experts have explained that this could be due to network searching, not actual connectivity.

Australian ocean debris theory

Finally, some believe that MH370 was indeed lost in the southern Indian Ocean and that search efforts simply missed the wreckage. This theory gained traction when debris confirmed to be from MH370 washed up on various shores, supporting the official conclusion that the plane crashed into the ocean.

These theories, while compelling to some, remain unproven, and the true fate of MH370 continues to be a source of speculation and investigation — until now.

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