Country's Aviation Chief Resigns Over Lapses In Air Traffic Control Related To The Incident

A report released this past week by the Malaysian government indicated that it is possible that MH370 was hijacked before it disappeared in 2014, even though there is no conclusive evidence for the supposition.

The Associated Press reports that the 19-member international team held to its assertion that the plane was deliberately flown off course and traveled for more than seven hours after communication with the aircraft was lost. The report raises the possibility of "intervention by a third party" in the disappearance.

Chief investigator Kok Soo Chon said that there was no indication of any factors that might have led the two pilots to hijack the plane, but all passengers had been cleared by police, and none were found to have any pilot training. He said at a media briefing that the panel is "not of the opinion that it could be an event committed by the pilot."

The report also pointed to lapses by air traffic control, including a failure to quickly start an emergency response and continuous monitoring of radar. The panel said controllers relied too much on information from the airline, and did not get in touch with the military to help assess the situation.

In light of the report, Malaysia's civil aviation chief Azharuddin Abdul Rahman resigned to take responsibility for the incident. The resignation is effective in mid-August. New Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that a committee has been formed to look into any misconduct based on the report's findings, and take action if appropriate.

(Image from file. Not lost aircraft)

FMI: Original report, Original report