A new BBC documentary explores a chilling theory about the fate of the vanished Malaysia Airlines flight

A decade has passed since Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished without a trace, sparking one of the most perplexing mysteries in aviation history. Despite extensive searches and numerous theories, the fate of the aircraft and its 239 passengers remains a mystery. However, a new BBC documentary, “Why Planes Vanish: The Hunt for MH370,” sheds light on a chilling theory proposed by aviation experts.

Former air traffic controller Jean Luc Marchand and retired commercial pilot Captain Patrick Belly are convinced that a skilled pilot deliberately steered the aircraft off-course for several hours before crashing into the Indian Ocean. Their theory suggests that the pilot meticulously planned to evade detection by turning off satellite phones and overriding the plane’s automatic air pressure controls.

The documentary reveals that the flight, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, deviated sharply from its path, flying back across Malaysia and then northwest over the Andaman Sea. It is believed that the aircraft continued southward, eventually running out of fuel and plunging into the ocean in an area known as the 7th arc.

According to Captain Belly, the depressurization of the cabin could have incapacitated the passengers and crew, leaving the pilot in control for the duration of the flight. This theory is supported by evidence suggesting that emergency oxygen masks would have provided only 20 minutes of oxygen, while the cockpit had access to over 20 hours’ worth.

Richard Godfrey, a retired aerospace engineer and volunteer expert on the case, has used advanced technology to trace the plane’s final flight path. Utilizing Weak Signal Propagation Reporter (WSPR) technology, he identified disturbances in radio signals that he believes are traces of MH370’s journey across the Indian Ocean.

The documentary also delves into the personal life of the flight’s captain, Zaharie Ahmad Shah, whose mental state has been the subject of speculation. A simulated flight route found on his home computer, which closely mirrors the assumed path of MH370, has fueled theories of a deliberate act.

While the exact reasons behind the plane’s disappearance may never be fully understood, “Why Planes Vanish: The Hunt for MH370” offers a compelling examination of the evidence and theories surrounding one of modern aviation’s greatest mysteries.