Whidbey plane joins 777 search

A U.S. Navy plane stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is part of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

The plane, a P-3C Orion patrol craft from Maritime Patrol Squadron 46, joined the international search for the Boeing 777, which lost contact with authorities on the ground early in the morning on March 8 as it cruised between Malaysia and Vietnam over the Gulf of Thailand.

Ships, aircraft and personnel from several countries, including Malaysia, the United States, China, Vietnam and India, are participating in the search.

American officials say that the airliner, which had 239 souls on board, appeared to continue flying for several more hours, based on satellite data, according to news reports.

Satellites picked up pings from a system on the plane designed to send information on its performance to ground personnel.

In this case, the airplane wasn’t actually sending out info, but satellites registered that the system — called Aircraft Communications and Addressing and Reporting System or ACARS — was on. It’s similar to a laptop computer or smartphone detecting but not connecting to a wi-fi network — it knows it’s there, but no information is being exchanged.

Based on the satellite data, the plane flew several hundred miles along a popular air corridor over the India Ocean.

With that in mind, aviation accident experts are increasingly saying that whatever happened to 370 was due to deliberate human actions.

At this point, though, every scenario has one or more gaping hole in its logic.

For example, if hijackers took over the plane, why didn’t they communicate with authorities?

Or if the plane suffered a decompression that incapacitated passengers and the flight crew, how could it have changed course several times to head away from its planned flight path?

“There are no logical or reasonable scenarios that are suggesting themselves at this point,” said Thomas Anthony, director of the Aviation Safety and Security Program at the University of Southern California.

Investigators haven’t uncovered anything in the personal lives of the pilot and co-pilot to suggest wrongdoing, according to The Associated Press.

Given that every scenario seems to have some serious flaw, I asked an aviation accident expert if an airplane could conceivably lose its navigation and communication systems but have its flight controls still working.

“It is possible after losing electrical power to fly for some time,” Anthony said.

The 777 has a regular, old-fashion compass — called a “whiskey compass” — and the engines power at least a minimum of the flight controls.

That could leave the flight crew to steer the aircraft using landmarks, stars and compass bearings. Basically, what my grandfather used as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and then with several commercial airlines after the war.

“At night, it would be much more difficult to maintain your horizon,” Anthony said.

He doesn’t think it’s a more likely scenario than any other.

I asked Boeing if a 777’s ACARS could continue working if the plane lost its multiple radio and other communication systems. But a spokesman said the company wouldn’t comment on the topic.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

The livery on a Boeing plane. (Christopher Pike / Bloomberg)
Former Lockheed Martin CFO joins Boeing as top financial officer

Boeing’s Chief Financial Officer is being replaced by a former CFO at… Continue reading

Izaac Escalante-Alvarez unpacks a new milling machine at the new Boeing machinists union’s apprentice training center on Friday, June 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists union training center opens in Everett

The new center aims to give workers an inside track at Boeing jobs.

Some SnoCo stores see shortages after cyberattack on grocery supplier

Some stores, such as Whole Foods and US Foods CHEF’STORE, informed customers that some items may be temporarily unavailable.

People take photos and videos as the first Frontier Arlines flight arrives at Paine Field Airport under a water cannon salute on Monday, June 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Water cannons salute Frontier on its first day at Paine Field

Frontier Airlines joins Alaska Airlines in offering service Snohomish County passengers.

Amit B. Singh, president of Edmonds Community College. 201008
Edmonds College and schools continue diversity programs

Educational diversity programs are alive and well in Snohomish County.

A standard jet fuel, left, burns with extensive smoke output while a 50 percent SAF drop-in jet fuel, right, puts off less smoke during a demonstration of the difference in fuel emissions on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Sustainable aviation fuel center gets funding boost

A planned research and development center focused on sustainable aviation… Continue reading

Helion's 6th fusion prototype, Trenta, on display on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Helion celebrates smoother path to fusion energy site approval

Helion CEO applauds legislation signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson expected to streamline site selection process.

Pharmacist John Sontra and other employees work on calling customers to get their prescriptions transferred to other stores from the Bartell Drugs Pharmacy on Hoyt Avenue on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bartell Drugs location shutters doors in Everett

John Sontra, a pharmacist at the Hoyt Avenue address for 46 years, said Monday’s closure was emotional.

Wine is illuminated on a large win rack at the center of the main room at Long Shadows Woodinville Tasting Room & Key Club Lounge on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 in Woodinville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two winery restaurants in Woodinville stand out

You wouldn’t expect to get world-class pizza at a winery,… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.