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MH 370: The One That Disappeared

Conspiracy theories and sensationalism are on display in the mystery of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370's disappearance in 2014.

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 disappeared on March 8, 2014. [Adobe Stock]
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Key Takeaways:

  • The author, an aviation analyst and pilot, criticizes the Netflix docuseries "MH 370: The Plane That Disappeared" for promoting unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that disserve the families of victims.
  • Despite extensive international searches guided by Inmarsat's satellite "handshake" data, which indicated the plane flew for hours into the southern Indian Ocean, MH370's main wreckage remains undiscovered, though fragments were found off African coasts.
  • The article debunks three primary theories featured in the series—pilot suicide, Russian operatives seizing control, and a U.S. military shootdown—highlighting their lack of credible evidence and disregard for aviation facts.
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Other than Amelia Earhart’s fate, civil aviation has no greater mystery than the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 on March 8, 2014. The Boeing 777-200 departed Kuala Lumpur International Airport (WMKK) in the very early hours of the morning, destined for Beijing. It never arrived.

Having flown a 777 for nine years and having responsibly contributed to the media frenzy as an aviation analyst, the story resonates on a personal level. Perhaps that’s why I take issue with the Netflix three-part docuseries MH 370: The Plane That Disappeared. But more than my own angst, it is a disservice to the families and friends that lost loved ones to focus on theories that defy the facts for the purpose of generating a profit. Spoiler alert: Among other topics, this column summarizes the three conspiracy theories presented.

Les Abend

Les Abend is a retired, 34-year veteran of American Airlines, attempting to readjust his passion for flying airplanes in the lower flight levels—without the assistance of a copilot.

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