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Who turned the aircraft, and why?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·4 answers·0·0 following
Four answers, none aheadNone is ahead yet. See what would settle it.

Where it stands

Four answers have been proposed. None is ahead on the evidence yet. Four are still possible.

Why it matters

The turn-back at IGARI, the loss of every communications system within minutes, and the route along the border between two countries' airspace are the facts that make this a mystery rather than an accident⁠[1]. The investigation could not determine the cause or exclude deliberate action.

Answers 4

Evidence: 3 against
Disputed
A passenger or stowaway seized the aircraft.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: 1 against
Still possible
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 3 for, 1 against
Still possible

History

  1. Ashton et al.: the SATCOM logged back on at 02:25, which implies power was restored to it after an interruption.Against: A fire, depressurisation or electrical failure incapacitated the crew after they turned toward a diversion…
  2. The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370 puts forward: the captain (or another person on the flight deck) deliberately diverted the aircraft and flew it to fuel…
  3. The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370 puts forward: a passenger or stowaway seized the aircraft.
  4. The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370 puts forward: a fire, depressurisation or electrical failure incapacitated the crew after they turned toward a diversion…
  5. The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370: nothing in the crew's medical, financial or personal records showed intent or distress.Against: The captain (or another person on the flight deck) deliberately diverted the aircraft and flew it to fuel…
  6. The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370: the investigation found the turn-back was flown manually and the route followed waypoints along the…For: The captain (or another person on the flight deck) deliberately diverted the aircraft and flew it to fuel…
  7. The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370: background checks on all passengers found nothing; no claim was made.Against: A passenger or stowaway seized the aircraft.
  8. The Malaysian ICAO Annex 13 Safety Investigation Team for MH370: the route after the turn-back involved several heading changes consistent with deliberate navigation, not a…Against: A fire, depressurisation or electrical failure incapacitated the crew after they turned toward a diversion…
  9. Asked on this site
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