Flightradar24 via its Twitter account @flightradar24 has published the flight path for AirAsia QZ 8501.
From the picture, we can see that the aircraft lost its ADS-B transmission while it is in cruise altitude and speed. This is quite unlikely as the aircraft is at the safest phase during cruise phase.
Malaysia Airlines has issued a travel advisory for flights to/from Hong Kong.
Although there is a large-scale protest going on in Hong Kong, flights are operating normally as scheduled. However, passengers are advised to give themselves extra time to accommodate delays that might arise due to the event.
Read more from Malaysia Airlines below:
Malaysia Airlines flights to and from Hong Kong are operating as scheduled in spite of the protest that is currently taking place at central Hong Kong.
The airline would like to advise passengers to plan their journey to Hong Kong International Airport ahead of time to avoid road closures or traffic diversions and encourage to commute via the express train to get to the airport.
Malaysia Airlines flies four times daily between Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on MH448/449, MH72/73, MH432/433 and MH78/79; and daily between Kota Kinabalu and Hong Kong on MH384/385.
For any queries, please contact Malaysia Airlines’ call centre at 1-300-88-3000 (in Malaysia) or Malaysia Airlines Hong Kong office at 852) 2916 0088. Alternatively, passengers can log on towww.malaysiaairlines.com and select ‘Flight Status’ option for further updates on the situation.
Source: Malaysia Airlines
As we can see from the screenshot above, airplanes avoid Iraqi and Syrian airspace due to ongoing conflict in both countries.
On the other hand, in Saudi Arabian airspace, alcohol is not allowed to be served onboard. Since there are many airlines serving alcohol in-flight, therefore it is better for them to avoid Saudi Arabian airspace altogether.
Airliners usually avoid hostile regions at all costs. This is based on advisory from international body such as ICAO and United States’ own Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The search and rescue team in charge for MH 370 recovery at the southern part of Indian Ocean has found a suspicious hard object, believed to be inconsistent with usual Indian Ocean seabed, according to a news report by New Straits Times (link: here).
Malaysia Airlines Flight MH 370 was reported missing on March 8th 2014. No significant lead has yet to be determined.
Sunday, September 14th 2014: A Malaysia Airlines flight bound to Hyderabad is circling just above Selangor-Perak border, shortly after it took off from Runway 14R at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL).
The flight departed from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, September 14th at 10:34 PM (MST) and scheduled to arrive at Hyderabad, 11:56 PM local time. However, about an hour after the departure, the plane made a turn back while it was cruising in Malacca Strait airspace. It then began to circle around Perak-Selangor border.
Update 12:40 AM: At least two Twitter accounts (other than LANDASAN) reported about the matter to Malaysia Airlines (MAS). MAS has yet to respond or issue a statement.
At 1:35 AM, the aircraft is still circling the same area. It has flown for about 3 hours already. Assuming the aircraft fuel tank is full and the fuel consumption rate is at 2000 liters / hour, it can fly continuously for another 10 hours.
Boeing 737s are not equipped with fuel dumping system. Therefore, in the event of emergency, the aircraft will either 1) fly in circles (holding pattern) to burn off fuel or 2) land overweight. If option 2) is taken, the aircraft will be inspected upon landing before returned to service.
At 1:47 AM, the aircraft is seen to be on descent and will be landing soon at KUL. It is no longer flying in circles.
A user from Lowyat forum, “peelfresh”, mentioned that there were problems in the cockpit and they decided to turn back. No major incident happened onboard. Source
Update 12:05 PM: News reports have surfaced this morning about the incident. Malaysia Airlines has yet to come up with an official statement regarding the incident, although most likely the turn back is caused by technical problems. Reports cite autopilot problem is the leading cause.
At 2:01 AM, the aircraft finally has landed on Runway 14L at KUL. The reasons is not yet known, although it is believed that mechanical problem is the cause.
Unofficial sources said that the landing was successful. Data from Flightradar shows the plane was taxiing to Main Terminal Building, KLIA.
We have contacted several Malaysian media sources but no one has yet so say anything regarding the incident. While we can only speculate now, we will put additional information as soon as they become available.
The aircraft type is Boeing 737-800 (737-8H6) and its registration number is 9M-MXI. It was delivered new to MAS on July 16th 2012. The serial number is 40136 while the Line Number is 4105.
According to Boeing website, the fuel capacity of the aircraft is 6,875 U.S. gal (26,020 L) and its maximum range 3,115 nautical miles (5,765 km) for 2-class with winglets.
It also has maximum takeoff weight 174,200 lb (79,010 kg)
The aircraft has involved with at least one accident before. It happened on March 21st 2014 at 10:45 PM (local time) at Kathmandu Airport (Malaysia Airlines Flight 114). It struck a flock of birds during the approach process. As a result, the aircraft landing light lens was broken and subsequently replaced. Although no human fatalities was recorded, the airport was closed for half an hour and the following flight was canceled. Source
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