Flight MH370: The Diego scenario revisited

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"14714","attributes":{"class":"media-image size-full wp-image-24602","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"250","height":"300","alt":"Dr Michael Atchia"}}]] Dr Michael Atchia

</div> On 15th March 2014, I wrote and published the following : “A far-fetched hypothesis :  3/9 (3rd of March 2014), another 9/11 type of terrorist attempt ?”

Preamble

I am publishing this scenario purely in an attempt to broaden the search for this missing Bœing 777 and to cover all possibilities, but in no way to accuse anyone, least of all the US forces located in the BIOT on Diego Garcia of the Chagos archipelago (a territory which was part of Mauritius but excised by the British at independence in 1968, and rented to the USA for a military base)

My Scenario

Now that it has been confirmed (by the Malaysian PM during his press conference) that: a. communications systems of the plane were deliberately switched off and ; b. the plane may have flown  in a general westerly direction for 5 to 7 hours after loss of contact (hence covering an extra 4,000 to 6,000 km), the scenario of a terrorist  attempt on the US military base of Diego Garcia, apparently containing nuclear armament, becomes feasible. The terrorist(s), like those of the 9/11 attack of 2001, were likely trained in piloting such a jet. After taking over the plane, they veered west, crossed Malaysian peninsula and headed towards Diego Garcia with, in mind, some sort of terrorist coup d’éclat. In no way do I wish to speculate (having no elements whatsoever to go by) on the likely motive of this (se) presumed terrorists. The BIOT (Diego Garcia), which is about 3,000 km from Kuala Lumpur, is well within range of the fuel held on board this aircraft even after it had flown part of the way to the north-east on its normal route.

How did it end?

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"14715","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-24603","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"1280","height":"1084","alt":"Flight MH370"}}]] Sub-scenario 1 : The plane ran out of fuel and crashed into the sea close to Diego Garcia. Sub-scenario 2 : The plane was forced to land on Diego, a highly restricted area. Sub-scenario 3 : The plane headed towards the US base, was given multiple warnings by the American forces, did not respond or change course (remember its communications systems were switched off) and was inevitably shot down as it approached the base (Remember the July 3, 1988 incident when Iran Air Flight 655 was accidentally shot down by USS Vincennes thinking it was a military plane coming at it). 2016 UPDATE : Examination of ocean currents in the centre and part of the south-west Indian Ocean does not show one strong current from North to South (such as the Gulf Stream or Labrador currents are elsewhere). BUT existing ocean currents (such as the South Equatorial and Alguhas Stream)  clearly indicate that such currents  could slowly carry debris of a plane (or other flotsam) from the Diego region in the North towards the South to our Mascarene islands of MAURITIUS, REUNION and RODRIGUES. Because of the slow rate of ‘travel’ of such debris, only large floatable bits may have been carried for one year or more, from early in 2014 to 2015/16. Likely no organic matter would have survived such length of time at sea. Other debris are likely to be found on the vast coasts of Madagascar. Detailed examination of plane debris as the Malaysian are likely to do may reveal new elements. Hence, once again, the Diego scenario has to be investigated. President Barrack Obama can surely help Malaysia by ordering an enquiry and deny or otherwise that this plane did NOT approach or land and was NOT shot down on the night of the 8th/9th March 2014 at Diego.