The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 (MH370) is one of the biggest mysteries in aviation history, and over the years, numerous theories have been put forward to explain what happened to the plane. Here are 10 of the most prominent theories:
- Mechanical failure: This theory proposes that there was a mechanical issue with the plane, such as a fire or structural failure, that caused it to crash. The plane’s communication systems went dark roughly 40 minutes into the flight, suggesting that something catastrophic happened. The investigation team initially focused on the possibility of a fire, as the plane was carrying flammable materials. However, no evidence of a fire was found on the plane’s wreckage, which was recovered from the ocean floor in 2015. Some experts have pointed to a possible failure in the plane’s oxygen supply system as a potential cause, which could have caused the pilots to become incapacitated.
- Pilot suicide: This theory proposes that one of the pilots intentionally crashed the plane, possibly due to personal or financial issues. The investigation found that the pilot had been struggling with personal problems and was known to have practiced flying a route similar to the one taken by MH370 on his home flight simulator. However, no conclusive evidence has been found to support this theory.
- Hijacking: This theory suggests that the plane may have been hijacked, either by terrorists or another group, but no one has claimed responsibility for the disappearance. There were initially suspicions that the two Iranian passengers on board may have been involved in the disappearance, but they were later cleared of any wrongdoing.
- Cargo hold fire: This theory posits that a fire in the cargo hold, possibly caused by lithium-ion batteries, could have caused the plane to crash. However, no evidence of a cargo hold fire was found on the wreckage, and the investigation team considered this theory to be unlikely.
- Cyber attack: This theory suggests that the plane’s systems may have been hacked, leading to the plane’s disappearance. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory, and cybersecurity experts have pointed out that it would be difficult to remotely control a plane in the way that would be necessary for this theory to be plausible.
- North Korea: Some have speculated that North Korea may have been involved in the plane’s disappearance, but there is no evidence to support this theory.
- Ocean current theory: This theory proposes that the plane may have crashed in the ocean and drifted off course due to ocean currents. This theory is supported by the discovery of debris that washed up on the shores of Africa and the Indian Ocean. However, this theory does not explain why the plane’s communication systems went dark or why it deviated from its planned flight path.
- Terrorist attack: It is possible that the plane was targeted by terrorists, either as part of a larger plot or as a standalone attack. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the disappearance, and there is no definitive evidence to support this theory.
- Pilot error: This theory suggests that the pilot may have made a mistake, such as flying the plane off course or failing to respond to emergency procedures. However, this theory does not explain why the plane’s communication systems went dark.
- Military involvement: This theory suggests that the plane may have been shot down by a military aircraft, but there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory. The Malaysian government denied that any military aircraft were involved in the disappearance, and no debris from a missile strike has been found on the wreckage.
Netflix has produced a docuseries titled “The Disappearance of MH370,” which explores the case and features interviews with experts, investigators, and family members of those on board the flight. The series does not necessarily promote any particular theory, but it presents a number of possibilities and examines the evidence that has been uncovered.
