Change of direction in MH370 search

The investigation into the disappearance of flight MH370 has taken a change of direction, as the search for the missing aircraft enters a fifth day.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that flight MH370 changed course prior to disappearing from radar screens on Saturday, turning west back towards the Malay Peninsula. In fact, Malaysian air force chief, Rodzali Daud, was reported saying the plane was detected at 0240 – two hours after take-off – close to the island of Pulau Perak, in the Malacca Strait, off the west coast of the Malay Peninsula. The aircraft’s previous last-recorded position was near Kota Bharu, off the Malay Peninsula’s east coast, at approximately 0130.

If the Pulau Perak position is confirmed, it would cast considerable doubt on why Malaysian authorities have concentrated the huge search and rescue efforts on the South China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam. The operation has grown to include 40 ships and 34 aircraft from Australia, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines and US.

Meanwhile, questions were raised yesterday about the behaviour of MH370’s pilots, after photos emerged of first officer Fariq Ab Hamid entertaining teenage girls in the cockpit on a previous flight. Witnesses also said the co-pilot was “smoking throughout the flight”.

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) issued a statement last night, saying it was “shocked” by the allegations”.

“Malaysia Airlines has become aware of the allegations being made against first officer, Fariq Ab Hamid which we take very seriously. We are shocked by these allegations,” the airline said. “We have not been able to confirm the validity of the pictures and videos of the alleged incident. As you are aware, we are in the midst of a crisis, and we do not want our attention to be diverted.”

The focus has fallen on the pilots after it emerged yesterday that the two Iranian men travelling on stolen passports were unlikely to have been connected with any terrorist group. Malaysia’s Bernama news agency reported Interpol as saying on Tuesday that the passengers were 19-year-old Pouria Nour Mohd Mehdad and 29-year-old Delavar Seyed Mohammad Redza. Neither had a criminal record and the younger man was on his way to Germany to visit relatives.

MAS also confirmed yesterday that four passengers who were booked on the flight failed to board, but reiterated that no unaccompanied baggage was checked on to the flight.

So with another line of enquiry seemingly becoming a dead end, the focus the investigation will now lie with the pilots. If the presence of the aircraft near Pulau Perak at 0240 is confirmed it would raise many questions;why was the aircraft travelling in the wrong direction and why was no distress signal issued?

And with relatives and friends still waiting for news of the 239 passengers and crew aboard the aircraft, pressure will be mounting on Malaysian authorities to find out what happened to the missing aircraft.