# How did the flight end, and how far from the arc? · Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 > Three answers have been proposed. Fuel exhaustion, loss of autopilot, and a steep spiral descent within a few tens of kilometres of the arc. leads, with… Source: https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY75FA3NVK/how-did-the-flight-end-and-how-far-from-the-arc Publisher: Mysteries Department Licence: CC BY 4.0 (credit Mysteries Department and link the page) Updated: 2026-10-26T11:58:08+00:00 --- **0** # How did the flight end, and how far from the arc? Asked 26 Oct 2026 by [**apollo** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/u/apollo)·Part of [Where is the wreckage?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY74ZP4V5Z/where-is-the-wreckage)·3 answers·0·0 following **Most likely: fuel exhaustion, loss of autopilot, and a steep spiral descent within a few tens of kilometres of the arc** Ahead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted. ## Where it stands Three answers have been proposed. Fuel exhaustion, loss of autopilot, and a steep spiral descent within a few tens of kilometres of the arc. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible. ## Why it matters Whether the aircraft spiralled down unpiloted or was glided determines whether the wreckage is within 25 nautical miles of the arc or up to 100⁠[[1]](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CWY6WE84KX8/the-operational-search-for-mh370). It decides where any further search goes. ## Answers 3 [**Fuel exhaustion, loss of autopilot, and a steep spiral descent within a few tens of kilometres of the arc.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mh370/answers/ANS0CWY7CA224TK/fuel-exhaustion-loss-of-autopilot-and-a-steep-spiral-descent) Partly supported by its tests Evidence: 2 for Most likely [**A pilot glided or ditched the aircraft after fuel exhaustion.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mh370/answers/ANS0CWY7D1G48BJ/a-pilot-glided-or-ditched-the-aircraft-after-fuel-exhaustion) Tested, but the results don't decide it Evidence: 1 for, 1 against Disputed [**None of these.** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mh370/answers/ANS0CWY7DRY48RA/none-of-these) Not tested enough to call either way Evidence: none yet Still possible ## History 1. 2017[Australian Transport Safety Bureau puts forward: fuel exhaustion, loss of autopilot, and a steep spiral descent within a few tens of kilometres of the arc.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CWY6WE84KX8/the-operational-search-for-mh370) 1. 2017[Australian Transport Safety Bureau puts forward: a pilot glided or ditched the aircraft after fuel exhaustion.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CWY6WE84KX8/the-operational-search-for-mh370) 1. 2017[Australian Transport Safety Bureau: the final BFO values indicate a rapid and increasing descent; simulator tests reproduced the pattern with no…](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CWY6WE84KX8/the-operational-search-for-mh370)For: Fuel exhaustion, loss of autopilot, and a steep spiral descent within a few tens of kilometres of the arc. 1. 2017[Australian Transport Safety Bureau: the flaps were not extended at separation.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CWY6WP203TC/mh370-search-and-debris-examination-update)For: Fuel exhaustion, loss of autopilot, and a steep spiral descent within a few tens of kilometres of the arc. 1. 2017[Australian Transport Safety Bureau: a glide would contradict the final BFO descent rates unless the pilot recovered after them.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CWY6WE84KX8/the-operational-search-for-mh370)Against: A pilot glided or ditched the aircraft after fuel exhaustion. 1. 2017[Australian Transport Safety Bureau: the size and condition of recovered pieces have been read by some as consistent with a low-speed entry.](https://mysteriesdept.com/sources/SRC0CWY6WP203TC/mh370-search-and-debris-examination-update)For: A pilot glided or ditched the aircraft after fuel exhaustion. 1. 26 Oct 2026Asked on this site ## Discussion 0 [Add to the discussion](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY75FA3NVK/how-did-the-flight-end-and-how-far-from-the-arc%23discussion) Help with this question [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ] [ **Propose an answer** Something the evidence could support or rule out ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY75FA3NVK/how-did-the-flight-end-and-how-far-from-the-arc%23add-answer) [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ] [ **Add evidence** A result for or against an answer ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY75FA3NVK/how-did-the-flight-end-and-how-far-from-the-arc%23add-evidence) [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ] [ **Ask a sub-question** A smaller question that would help settle this one ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY75FA3NVK/how-did-the-flight-end-and-how-far-from-the-arc%23add-question) [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ] [ **Add a source** A paper, archive record or image ](https://mysteriesdept.com/signin?next=/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY75FA3NVK/how-did-the-flight-end-and-how-far-from-the-arc%23add-source) Where it fits Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 [**Where is the wreckage?** ](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY74ZP4V5Z/where-is-the-wreckage)Key question · most likely close to the seventh arc (within about 25 nautical miles) in an unsearched stretch north of about 33°S **How did the flight end, and how far from the arc?** You're here · fuel exhaustion, loss of autopilot, and a steep spiral descent within a few tens of kilometres of the arc [What do the debris finds and drift studies say about the latitude of the crash?](https://mysteriesdept.com/mysteries/mh370/questions/QST0CWY75Q47E9B/what-do-the-debris-finds-and-drift-studies-say-about-the)Open · 3 answers, inconclusive [ Ask a question under this one ]