Missing Malaysian jet news (1 Viewer)

[The Goat]

Can't we just ask Herve Villechaize where the plane is?

If only Herve Villechaize was still alive to point out its location....

Oh, for ##### sake.

Maybe we can get that Mexican midget from the Love Boat to point out where "de plane" is. LOL

I'll be recycling Keerock's 2 to 4 day-old material all week. Try the veal.

I fabricated that last one

Heh.

Bastige.

 

[KCitons]

Even if the planes communications were knocked out, couldn't one of the pilots use their cell phones? Especially if they turned around and were somewhere over Malaysia. (no issue of roaming)

Only if they flew low and close enough to a cell phone tower

How low would they need to be. Someone on this post said they were able to get a signal, but I don't remember the exact altitude. If they were turning around to land, they would have flown over the Malaysian Peninsula, not sure if there is a cell tower in that area.

I commented earlier - I've been able to make short calls in a prop plane going ~100 mph at about 5,000ft. I mentioned that the issue with calls is the speed you're traveling, not so much the altitude (at least to a point). I think anything below 10,000 ft would have no issues pinging a tower...maybe sending a text. Calls would drop too fast at airliner speed.

Thanks FN. Assuming they were "limping" back across the Malaysian peninsula, the speed and heights probably wouldn't have allowed for cell connection.

 

[Wingnut]

At what point do they call off the search? All of the resources being used cost money, and at the end of the day, there's always a bottom line.

 

[Fat Nick]

AutoPilot/Captain/FO/Someone climbed above the maximum certified ceiling. (confirmed?)

-Not necessarily - There are different levels of auto-pilot. Some control only heading. Some control heading and altitude. I'm guessing commercial airliners control heading, altitude, AND power. If the 441 only had heading, It's pretty easy for the pilot to pass out, and the trim setting + power setting when he passed out could cause the plane to just climb until the power output diminished due to a lean mix and the plane leveled out. Additionally, storms are no joke in smaller planes. I remember getting caught in some over Indiana one time...It was a developing system. The updrafts were so strong that we had the engine at idle, and were diving near max speed, and we were still gaining altitude. It's also possible that they just got sucked up up up into one and passed out. Unlikely, but possible.

Crash left some debris, but no wreckage was ever found. (possible)
So, they were following this 1980 flight and never found any wreckage. If the same is true with this flight, the chances of ever finding anything are slim and none, and slim left town...

A 441 is going to leave a fraction of the debris of a 777 - and a 777 is going to have a lot more stuff that would float (seat cushions, foam insulation, etc) If the 777 broke up on impact, somebody will find something someday...might be on a beach in Tahiti 2 years from now, but something will wash up. Worst case is a controlled landing, intact airplane, and subsequent sinking.

We may never have any answers, but (IMO) the most logical at this point is that any remains are at the bottom of the Indian Ocean...

I tend to agree now that the crash is in the Indian Ocean somewhere...I do think debris will be found sometime...

 

[Fat Nick]

Even if the planes communications were knocked out, couldn't one of the pilots use their cell phones? Especially if they turned around and were somewhere over Malaysia. (no issue of roaming)

Only if they flew low and close enough to a cell phone tower

How low would they need to be. Someone on this post said they were able to get a signal, but I don't remember the exact altitude. If they were turning around to land, they would have flown over the Malaysian Peninsula, not sure if there is a cell tower in that area.

I commented earlier - I've been able to make short calls in a prop plane going ~100 mph at about 5,000ft. I mentioned that the issue with calls is the speed you're traveling, not so much the altitude (at least to a point). I think anything below 10,000 ft would have no issues pinging a tower...maybe sending a text. Calls would drop too fast at airliner speed.

Thanks FN. Assuming they were "limping" back across the Malaysian peninsula, the speed and heights probably wouldn't have allowed for cell connection.

Yeah...not to mention that most likely they weren't in full panic mode at that point. I don't see people cutting their phones on and trying to make calls unless the Pilot has basically said, "We've got a major problem...we're gonna crash."

 

[Fat Nick]

At what point do they call off the search? All of the resources being used cost money, and at the end of the day, there's always a bottom line.

A part of me feels like Malaysia is just waiting for the next big news story to pop up to take the focus off the search, then they'll stop or at least reduce efforts

 

[Wingnut]

CNN is showing a simulator, and there's a pilot explaining how some systems work and why a flight plan would be changed mid flight. The pilot just said 'irregardless of the objective'...

 

[KCitons]

Yeah...not to mention that most likely they weren't in full panic mode at that point. I don't see people cutting their phones on and trying to make calls unless the Pilot has basically said, "We've got a major problem...we're gonna crash."

I was thinking of the pilots using cell phones, after repeated attempts to communicate with ATC. Also, if they knew ALCARS was not operating, they may have known that they had become a UFO over Malaysian or Thailand airspace.

 

[Terpman22]

CNN is showing a simulator, and there's a pilot explaining how some systems work and why a flight plan would be changed mid flight. The pilot just said 'irregardless of the objective'...

So CNN is covering this story?

 

[Fat Nick]

Yeah...not to mention that most likely they weren't in full panic mode at that point. I don't see people cutting their phones on and trying to make calls unless the Pilot has basically said, "We've got a major problem...we're gonna crash."

I was thinking of the pilots using cell phones, after repeated attempts to communicate with ATC. Also, if they knew ALCARS was not operating, they may have known that they had become a UFO over Malaysian or Thailand airspace.

Aah...gotcha. Yeah. Good point.

 

[Todem]

Maybe we can get that Mexican midget from the Love Boat to point out where "de plane" is. LOL

Gopher?

That would be Tattoo from Fantasy Island.

This jet is at the bottom of the ocean. I can't think of any other scenario anymore. Either they somehow pulled off a miraculous water landing and sank.....or they went far off course and they just can't find any wreckage as they still have no clue where to look right now. So much ocean to cover yet.

Incredible mystery......simply incredible.

 

[jon_mx]

CNN is showing a simulator, and there's a pilot explaining how some systems work and why a flight plan would be changed mid flight. The pilot just said 'irregardless of the objective'...

There goes all credibility.

 

[saintsfan]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

 

[kentric]

My friend believes that the plane was hijacked and was landed at some remote location. I just can't imagine how this could be the case. We're not talking a Piper-Laurie here. There can only be so many places that a 777 could safely land. Every runway of that size would have to be accountable (people there to see it arrive). So unless there was some form of conspiracy, with the involvement of a government, this potential should be easily disregarded.

 

[Parrothead]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

any word of the Balloon Boy's whereabouts?

 

[Fat Nick]

My friend believes that the plane was hijacked and was landed at some remote location. I just can't imagine how this could be the case. We're not talking a Piper-Laurie here. There can only be so many places that a 777 could safely land. Every runway of that size would have to be accountable (people there to see it arrive). So unless there was some form of conspiracy, with the involvement of a government, this potential should be easily disregarded.

Isn't that an actress?

ETA - Yes...Piper Laurie is an actress who boned President Reagan. I think you mean Piper Cub...I'd think you could land Piper Laurie without much trouble. She's 82 and wouldn't put up much of a fight.

 

[DiStefano]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

That's what declining ratings will do for you.

 

[kentric]

My friend believes that the plane was hijacked and was landed at some remote location. I just can't imagine how this could be the case. We're not talking a Piper-Laurie here. There can only be so many places that a 777 could safely land. Every runway of that size would have to be accountable (people there to see it arrive). So unless there was some form of conspiracy, with the involvement of a government, this potential should be easily disregarded.

Isn't that an actress?

ETA - Yes...Piper Laurie is an actress who boned President Reagan. I think you mean Piper Cub...I'd think you could land Piper Laurie without much trouble. She's 82 and wouldn't put up much of a fight.

Scary. You've got me thinking of landing strips now.

 

[timschochet]

Maybe we can get that short guy that used to hang around Ricardo Montalban- he can tell us.

 

[timschochet]

My friend believes that the plane was hijacked and was landed at some remote location. I just can't imagine how this could be the case. We're not talking a Piper-Laurie here. There can only be so many places that a 777 could safely land. Every runway of that size would have to be accountable (people there to see it arrive). So unless there was some form of conspiracy, with the involvement of a government, this potential should be easily disregarded.

Isn't that an actress?

ETA - Yes...Piper Laurie is an actress who boned President Reagan. I think you mean Piper Cub...I'd think you could land Piper Laurie without much trouble. She's 82 and wouldn't put up much of a fight.

Dunno about that. Isn't she Carrie's mom? I wouldn't want to #### with that lady.

 

[B-Deep]

Maybe we can get that short guy that used to hang around Ricardo Montalban- he can tell us.

Walter Koenig?

 

[Parrothead]

Maybe we can get that short guy that used to hang around Ricardo Montalban- he can tell us.

that the 777 had rich Corinthian leather?

 

[timschochet]

Maybe we can get that short guy that used to hang around Ricardo Montalban- he can tell us.

Walter Koenig?

Only if you stick a space gerbil in his ear.

And even then, he'll only tell you in a horribly fake Russian accent, so you might have trouble understanding him:

 

[fantasycurse42]

You guys get to the bottom of this yet?

 

[NCCommish]

You guys get to the bottom of this yet?

Yes. However no one has asked the right question yet so we don't think they are interested.

 

[fakepunt]

You guys get to the bottom of this yet?

Yes. We have conclusively determined that the airplane is probably at the bottom of the Indian Ocean, unless of course, it isn't.

 

[17seconds]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

That's what declining ratings will do for you.

Yep. Word is their ratings went way up when they started covering it so they are just covering it 24/7 now.

 

[Fat Nick]

My friend believes that the plane was hijacked and was landed at some remote location. I just can't imagine how this could be the case. We're not talking a Piper-Laurie here. There can only be so many places that a 777 could safely land. Every runway of that size would have to be accountable (people there to see it arrive). So unless there was some form of conspiracy, with the involvement of a government, this potential should be easily disregarded.

Isn't that an actress?

ETA - Yes...Piper Laurie is an actress who boned President Reagan. I think you mean Piper Cub...I'd think you could land Piper Laurie without much trouble. She's 82 and wouldn't put up much of a fight.

Scary. You've got me thinking of landing strips now.

Her landing strip?

I guess it's all about perspective. She was quite the looker in her prime.

 

[17seconds]

BTW CNN has taught millions of people how to set a course on a 777 in flight and disable the transponder.

 

[Terpman22]

Flight Fight Club.


The first rule of Flight Fight Club: Make flight disappear.

Second rule of Flight Fight Club: Everyone else talks about it forever.

Plus I heard those Asian dudes like to gamble, no?

 

[randall146]

At what point do they call off the search? All of the resources being used cost money, and at the end of the day, there's always a bottom line.

When push comes to shove, the cows come home to roost

 

[Controller]

At what point do they call off the search? All of the resources being used cost money, and at the end of the day, there's always a bottom line.

When push comes to shove, the cows come home to roost

Their backs are against the wall, it's do or die, the coffee is for closers and the early bird catches the worm.

 

[Baloney Sandwich]

When you come to a fork in the road, take it

 

[KCitons]

At what point do they call off the search? All of the resources being used cost money, and at the end of the day, there's always a bottom line.

One of the talking heads on CNN this morning made a comment about searching the Indian Ocean. He said one ship dragging a sonar, averaging 12 square miles per day, would take around 4,000 years to cover all the area.

Granted, there is more than one ship (and planes). But, if the plane is at the bottom of the Ocean, it's going to take a little luck to find it. Even if a seat cushion washes up on a beach someplace, the winds and currents would make it pretty difficult to track back to a plane.

 

[Fat Nick]

At what point do they call off the search? All of the resources being used cost money, and at the end of the day, there's always a bottom line.

One of the talking heads on CNN this morning made a comment about searching the Indian Ocean. He said one ship dragging a sonar, averaging 12 square miles per day, would take around 4,000 years to cover all the area.

Granted, there is more than one ship (and planes). But, if the plane is at the bottom of the Ocean, it's going to take a little luck to find it. Even if a seat cushion washes up on a beach someplace, the winds and currents would make it pretty difficult to track back to a plane.

Yeah...focused sonar is just silly at this point. You'd be better off just starting a project to map the floor of the Indian Ocean. They're just as likely to find a treasure ship as they are the plane with that broad of a search area.

 

[saintsfan]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

That's what declining ratings will do for you.

I watch CNN for real news and I watch Fox because their opinion shows blow everyone else's out of the water. With this crisis, Fox is dealing much more in fact basis news and CNN is pulling every nut story they can think of. Just awful.

 

[Doug B]

You guys get to the bottom of this yet?

Actually decent, informed theorization in this thread today. Excellent links posted, too. This was a good day to jump into this thread.

 

[El Floppo]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

That's what declining ratings will do for you.

I watch CNN for real news and I watch Fox because their opinion shows blow everyone else's out of the water. With this crisis, Fox is dealing much more in fact basis news and CNN is pulling every nut story they can think of. Just awful.

They said on the local news that CNN had doubled their viewership over the last week. It's working.

 

[Fat Nick]

You guys get to the bottom of this yet?

Actually decent, informed theorization in this thread today. Excellent links posted, too. This was a good day to jump into this thread.

Themes and questions kind of repeat every 5 pages or so. You just happened to jump in where we were actually theorizing and not making Lost jokes.

 

[saintsfan]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

That's what declining ratings will do for you.

I watch CNN for real news and I watch Fox because their opinion shows blow everyone else's out of the water. With this crisis, Fox is dealing much more in fact basis news and CNN is pulling every nut story they can think of. Just awful.

They said on the local news that CNN had doubled their viewership over the last week. It's working.

Well good for them, I guess...

 

[TheIronSheik]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

That's what declining ratings will do for you.

I watch CNN for real news and I watch Fox because their opinion shows blow everyone else's out of the water. With this crisis, Fox is dealing much more in fact basis news and CNN is pulling every nut story they can think of. Just awful.

They said on the local news that CNN had doubled their viewership over the last week. It's working.

While I'm sure this is true, I'm sure they could quadruple their viewership if they showed "OWWW!! My Balls!" I just wouldn't have expected CNN to go this route.

 

[JetMaxx]

When you come to a fork in the road, take it

This thread is déjà vu all over again

 

[TheIronSheik]

You guys get to the bottom of this yet?

Actually decent, informed theorization in this thread today. Excellent links posted, too. This was a good day to jump into this thread.

Themes and questions kind of repeat every 5 pages or so. You just happened to jump in where we were actually theorizing and not making Lost jokes.

Agreed. I jumped in way late and did not read any old posts. Yet, I feel like I've been here since the beginning.

 

[Wingnut]

When you come to a fork in the road, take it

Just be sure to wash it before you use it. It could be contaminated with the AIDS.

 

[saintsfan]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

That's what declining ratings will do for you.

I watch CNN for real news and I watch Fox because their opinion shows blow everyone else's out of the water. With this crisis, Fox is dealing much more in fact basis news and CNN is pulling every nut story they can think of. Just awful.

They said on the local news that CNN had doubled their viewership over the last week. It's working.

While I'm sure this is true, I'm sure they could quadruple their viewership if they showed "OWWW!! My Balls!" I just wouldn't have expected CNN to go this route.

I agree. I watch Fox mostly for entertainment (I am a conservative) and I like to hear a viewpoint you don't hear in the mainstream, but for serious news, CNN is usually the one to go to. Fact based news that is more balanced then the others.

They have just done an awful job for this one, however.

 

[El Floppo]

BTW, CNN is REALLY stinking it up on this one. A half a step better than the National Enquirer....

That's what declining ratings will do for you.

I watch CNN for real news and I watch Fox because their opinion shows blow everyone else's out of the water. With this crisis, Fox is dealing much more in fact basis news and CNN is pulling every nut story they can think of. Just awful.

They said on the local news that CNN had doubled their viewership over the last week. It's working.

While I'm sure this is true, I'm sure they could quadruple their viewership if they showed "OWWW!! My Balls!" I just wouldn't have expected CNN to go this route.

I agree. I watch Fox mostly for entertainment (I am a conservative) and I like to hear a viewpoint you don't hear in the mainstream, but for serious news, CNN is usually the one to go to. Fact based news that is more balanced then the others.

They have just done an awful job for this one, however.

and by "awful" you mean "awesome", right?

 

[grateful zed]

You guys get to the bottom of this yet?

Actually decent, informed theorization in this thread today. Excellent links posted, too. This was a good day to jump into this thread.

Themes and questions kind of repeat every 5 pages or so. You just happened to jump in where we were actually theorizing and not making Lost jokes.

wow, you are still here?

 

[Fat Nick]

Themes and questions kind of repeat every 5 pages or so. You just happened to jump in where we were actually theorizing and not making Lost jokes.

wow, you are still here?

It's like crack man. I took the weekend off, but all this talk of the plane being intentionally flown at low altitude got me back into it...now that talk has faded again. I think they just make stuff up at this point.

 

[jon_mx]

At least I think they have finally got the location narrowed down to somewhere between India, Africa and Australia.

 

[fantasycurse42]

You guys get to the bottom of this yet?

Actually decent, informed theorization in this thread today. Excellent links posted, too. This was a good day to jump into this thread.

Themes and questions kind of repeat every 5 pages or so. You just happened to jump in where we were actually theorizing and not making Lost jokes.

Agreed. I jumped in way late and did not read any old posts. Yet, I feel like I've been here since the beginning.

I'm completely lost in here.