Now the FBI is involved
 

Ostensibly on the grounds that US citizens were on the aircraft, but I'm not sure the FBI gets involved as a matter of course ... :confused:

Crickey Update:

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/planetalk...ion-imprecise/

Looks like an AF447 scenario.

Does the B777 has telemetry output similar to the A330/380 etc.

Any ACARS?
 

As with AF447, the ACARS telemetry could give us vital clues. Maybe MAS doesn't want to share it at this stage ... ?

A couple of ways it's different to AF447 - no reports of significant weather in the area, a very experienced crew at the controls (presumably) and no reports of telemetry (which was revealed hours after AF447 was confirmed missing).

The other thing I find bizarre is that despite good ADS and ATC radar coverage (reportedly) there have only been unconfirmed reports of a rapid descent - you'd think even from 35,000ft if the aircraft was falling in a single piece they would have had a couple of radar returns in that time?

Thankfully the Gulf of Thailand is relatively shallow so it should make recovery of the wreckage somewhat easier than AF447.

I'd imagine they would need an invite from the lead nation, who ever that may end up being. I can't imagine there is an jurisdictional nexus that allows the FBI to get involved simply because Americans were on board.

Cheers

M

There could not have been any fuel issues with the aircraft, as it would have flown for quite some time regardless, and communications would have been received from the pilot.

Something sudden and catastrophic has happened which prevented time for any communications from the pilots.

Something else to be considered would be the aircraft having been overpowered, and flown into the sea intentionally, also explaining the no communications.

We will find out...

Why didn't Vietnam/Chinese ATC raise an alert when the aircraft:

* failed to report at way points
* could no longer be seen on radar

My thoughts are to the victims and families.

Just wondering in today's technology, wouldn't we should be able to find the black box signal as it will emit wavebands to allow search authorities to locate the plane?

The depth of either Gulf of Thailand or South China Sea should not be too deep than an ocean that it should facilitate the search easily.

Thoughts?

Replying to one of the possible thoughts on the cause, could the plane suffered something similar but more violent explosion than QF30 that potentially destroys the black box and disintegration of the plane?

They do, but you need to be reasonably close to start with.

Boeing Technical Advisors and NTSB investigators are on their way to the area, so they will be ready to assist once the location of the aircraft has been established.