Malaysian investigators today examined a
flight simulator found at the home of the pilot of the missing jetliner
while probing hijacking, sabotage and terrorism angles as search
operations expanded to large tracts of land and sea covering 11
countries, including India. The mystery of the missing Flight MH370
from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing since March 8 continued to baffle aviation
and security authorities who have not succeeded in tracking the aircraft
despite deploying hi-tech radar and other gadgets. Malaysian police
said they are refocusing the probe on the crew, passengers and ground
staff based on "new leads" that the aircraft was deliberately disabled
and its transponder switched off before the plane veered from its path.
Police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said they have dismantled the simulator
found at pilot Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah's residence and reassembled it
in their office to examine it. "Investigations include possibility of
hijack, sabotage and terrorism," he added. Defence and acting Transport
Minister Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said, "The search area has been
significantly expanded. The nature of the search has changed. From
focusing mainly on shallow sea we are now looking at large tracts of
land, crossing 11 countries, as well as deep and remote oceans."
Malaysia got in touch with countries along the northern and southern
corridors about the flight. These countries include: Kazakhstan,
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India,
China, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and
France. He said that the search operation, which entered the ninth day
today, was already "highly complex". The minister said that the number
of countries involved in the search and rescue operation has increased
from 14 to 25, which brings new challenges of coordination and diplomacy
to the search effort. "The investigation is refocusing on the
backgrounds of the passengers, pilots and even ground staff. The
families of the pilot and co-pilot have been interviewed," Hishammuddin
said. He said the search has entered a new phase. "The information
released yesterday has produced new leads and given new directions to
the search process" to trace the Boeing 777-200 aircraft. Bakar said
they are seeking background checks on all passengers from foreign
counterparts but "there are still a few countries yet to respond to our
requests". He said few foreign intelligence agencies, however, have
cleared all the passengers.
Officers spoke to family members of the 53-year-old pilot, who has 18,365 flight hours under his belt and is also a flight instructor. They also searched the home of co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27. Authorities said no groups have made any demands over the missing aircraft which was not carrying additional fuel. The aircraft had fuel to fly up to 8 hours and there was no hazardous material in the cargo. Hishammuddin declined to comment on speculation that it could be a 9/11-style attack, saying that "it is difficult to determine if it is hijack or terrorism". A team of experts from global satellite network operator Inmarsat has arrived here to assist the investigation. "We are asking countries that have satellite assets, including the US, China and France amongst others, to provide further satellite data. And we are contacting additional countries who may be able to contribute specific assets relevant to the search and rescue operation. Surveillance aircraft are required, and maritime vessels are needed, particularly for the southern corridor," he said.
Officers spoke to family members of the 53-year-old pilot, who has 18,365 flight hours under his belt and is also a flight instructor. They also searched the home of co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27. Authorities said no groups have made any demands over the missing aircraft which was not carrying additional fuel. The aircraft had fuel to fly up to 8 hours and there was no hazardous material in the cargo. Hishammuddin declined to comment on speculation that it could be a 9/11-style attack, saying that "it is difficult to determine if it is hijack or terrorism". A team of experts from global satellite network operator Inmarsat has arrived here to assist the investigation. "We are asking countries that have satellite assets, including the US, China and France amongst others, to provide further satellite data. And we are contacting additional countries who may be able to contribute specific assets relevant to the search and rescue operation. Surveillance aircraft are required, and maritime vessels are needed, particularly for the southern corridor," he said.
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