Zero time to get a message out? No comms no nothing???
It is beginning to look like terrorists/suicide bombers might have taken down the Malaysia Airlines 777.
The US has sent USS PINCKNEY DDG-91 to assist in the search. Malaysia is a hotbed for both AQ and ASF, and is home to more muslims than any other single country in the world.
Thoughts and prayers for those who died, and their families…
It’s possible to have been catastrophic equipment failure. It was a 777 so it’s a new aircraft, ruling out metal fatigue or other sorts of age-related problems. Maybe a bomb?
Having said that, the two people on the flight with stolen passports gives rise to Muslims blowing up an airplane. It would seem to be a religious pastime for those folks.
Religion of peace…
+1
Oh crap!
LL- Yep, you’re going the same way I am on that…
Jenn- Probably… Hoping I’m wrong, but NOT betting on it…
No doubt a bomb as Islam is such a dynamite religion
Yeah, saw that an oil slick had been spotted. But last I looked no other news. The stolen passports thing…
Go back to your golf game, Mr. President, we’ll watch and worry in your place as the world burns.
Sadly, it was the first thing I thought of, the plane being Malaysian and all…
Of course, that’s no help for anyone.
Prayers for all innocents concerned.
gfa
Rick- Sadly, yes…
PH- Good point!
gfa- Amen
The oil slick with no debris discounts a bomb for me.
And a cockpit takeover without a message would not have terror value.
But they are lost, and it is sad.
I read there was two oil slicks, that indicates breakup at altitude. That and no distress call.
Ed B- I’m hoping I’m wrong… But the loss IS sad…
Ed J- Yep. And no debris field…
I’m sure the US mainstream media is holding out for a Tea Party connection.
I’m with LL on the passports.
Robert- Probably…
BP- Yep!
Just saw a news video of a P3 in the search.
I haven’t read anything about weather in the area and no group has claimed responsibility. They’re going to need to find the black box on this. It either broke up or the pilot flew it into the sea.
Ed B- Yep, one of the ‘less’ fun missions… Done a few of those over the years…
Ed- Good points, and the black box WILL be needed, no question!
Just read this from wire reports. Sure sounds like terrorism to me:
“A Thai travel agent who arranged the tickets for the two passengers using the stolen passports said she had booked them on the flight via Beijing because they were the cheapest tickets, the Financial Times reported.
The travel agent in the resort of Pattaya said an Iranian business contact she knew only as “Mr Ali” had asked her to book tickets for the two men on March 1.
She had initially booked them on other airlines but those reservations expired and on March 6, Mr Ali had asked her to book them again. She told the newspaper she did not think Mr Ali, who paid her in cash and booked tickets with her regularly, was linked to terrorism.”
Michael- Thanks for the update.
Mr. Ali….great. Why blow-up a plane over the ocean though? Where’s the terror-value if nobody sees it? And wouldn’t they be goign to Beijing to buy more Chi-Com bomb-making equipment?
I did a great circle from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing and at 560 mph from takeoff to lost contact (two hours) they could have reached northern Cambodia or southern Loas.
I see they have called in your old friend. http://gizmodo.com/how-the-granddaddy-of-us-recon-planes-is-helping-search-1540184964
That they have Mike, and as usual, the crews are doing one helluva job! Flew quite a few searches like that ISO the Coasties over the years, never fun. BUT the chance to save someone keeps the entire crew on their toes and glued to the windows!
NC- It’s the not knowing… false hope thing…
Ed- Figure 2000nm max range from that point puts a BIG area into play…