In worrying news, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been reported that it has lost contact with air traffic control. The flight departed KLIA at 00:41, with contact lost at 02.40 – operated by a Boeing 777-200.
239 souls were aboard the plane at the time of loss, reports beginning to indicate that a hull loss of the aircraft is unconfirmed, with the plane crashing 153 miles south of Phu Quoc Island (awaiting official confirmation).
No distress call was made by the airline according to Malaysia Airlines.
Two Chinese Maritime rescue vehicles have been dispatched to assist in the search effort.
According to Flightaware, contact was lost over Malaysia, http://flightaware.com/live/flight/MAS370 with the data transponders, whilst reports indicate the plane was lost over sea near Vietnam.
The plane – 9M-MRO has had an uneventful aviation life up until today according to FlightGlobal
Nationalities aboard the plane include:
- 1. China – 152 plus 1 infant
- 2. Malaysia – 38
- 3. Indonesia – 12
- 4. Australia – 7
- 5. France – 3
- 6. United States of America – 3 pax plus 1 infant
- 7. New Zealand – 2
- 8. Ukraine – 2
- 9. Canada – 2
- 10. Russia – 1
- 11. Italy – 1
- 12. Taiwan – 1
- 13. Netherlands – 1
- 14. Austria – 1
Data – Malaysia Airines
The flight was piloted by Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, a Malaysian aged 53. He has a total flying hours of 18,365hours. He joined Malaysia Airlines in 1981. First officer, Fariq Ab.Hamid, a Malaysian, is aged 27. He has a total flying hours of 2,763 hours. He joined Malaysia Airlines in 2007.
The full statement has been released at http://www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/site/dark-site.html
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are deeply saddened this morning with the news on MH370.
Malaysia Airlines confirms that flight MH370 had lost contact with Subang Air Traffic Control at 2.40am, today. There has been speculation that the aircraft has landed at Nanming. We are working to verify the authenticity of the report and others.
Flight MH370 was operated on a Boeing 777-200 aircraft. It departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 am earlier this morning bound for Beijing. The aircraft was scheduled to land at Beijing International Airport at 6.30am local Beijing time.
The flight was carrying a total number of 239 passengers and crew – comprising 227 passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members. The passengers were of 14 different nationalities – citizens from:-
1. China – 152 plus 1 infant
2. Malaysia – 38
3. Indonesia – 12
4. Australia – 7
5. France – 3
6. United States of America – 3 pax plus 1 infant
7. New Zealand – 2
8. Ukraine – 2
9. Canada – 2
10. Russia – 1
11. Italy – 1
12. Taiwan – 1
13. Netherlands – 1
14. Austria – 1
This flight was a code share with China Southern Airlines.
We are working with authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft.
Our team is currently calling the next-of-kin of passengers and crew.
The flight was piloted by Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, a Malaysian aged 53. He has a total flying hours of 18,365hours. He joined Malaysia Airlines in 1981. First officer, Fariq Ab.Hamid, a Malaysian, is aged 27. He has a total flying hours of 2,763 hours. He joined Malaysia Airlines in 2007.
Our focus now is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and mobilize its full support. Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members.
The airline will provide regular updates on the situation. The public may contact +603 7884 1234. For media queries, kindly contact +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.
Next-of-kin may head to the Support Facility Building at KLIA’s South Support Zone. For directions, call 03 8787 1269.
Previous releases below!
[#MASalert] Statement By Our Group Chief Executive Officer, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya on MH370 Incident. Released at 9.05am/8 Mar 2014 MY Local Time
We deeply regret that we have lost all contacts with flight MH370 which departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41 am earlier this morning bound for Beijing.
The aircraft was scheduled to land at Beijing International Airport at 6.30am local Beijing time.
Subang Air Traffic Control reported that it lost contact at 2.40am (local Malaysia time) today.
Flight MH370 was operated on a Boeing B777-200 aircraft.
The flight was carrying a total number of 239 passengers and crew – comprising 227 passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members. The passengers were of 13 different nationalities.
Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft.
Our team is currently calling the next-of-kin of passengers and crew.
Focus of the airline is to work with the emergency responders and authorities and mobilize its full support.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected passengers and crew and their family members.
The airline will provide regular updates on the situation.
The public may contact +603 7884 1234. For media queries, kindly contact +603 8777 5698/ +603 8787 1276.
Previous Statement via facebook:
MEDIA STATEMENT released at 7.24am/8 Mar 2014 MH370 Incident
Sepang, 8 March 2014: Malaysia Airlines confirms that flight MH370 has lost contact with Subang Air Traffic Control at 2.40am, today (8 March 2014).
Flight MH370, operated on the B777-200 aircraft, departed Kuala Lumpur at 12.41am on 8 March 2014. MH370 was expected to land in Beijing at 6.30am the same day. The flight was carrying a total number of 227 passengers (including 2 infants), 12 crew members.
Malaysia Airlines is currently working with the authorities who have activated their Search and Rescue team to locate the aircraft.
The airline will provide regular updates on the situation. Meanwhile, the public may contact +603 7884 1234 for further info.
oh man….that sucks. Our prayers are with the innocent victims of this tragedy. Thanks for posting this.
I was on MH370 flight just a week ago. All my prayers for folks aboard this flight.