Zaharie Shah and The Malaysian Flight 370 by Bryan Quintanilla

   Zaharie Shah and Malaysian Flight 370 mysteriously disappeared March 8, 2014, over the Indian Ocean. Since then, there are a couple theories about surrounding the disappearance of the Flight 370 crash landing in the middle off the ocean of the coast of China. Did the pilot cause the airliner to crash? Was it commandeered by an unknown entity? Let’s analyze the few theorized conspiracies manifested since the crash of Malaysian Flight 370 and Zaharie Shah. What really happened on Flight 370? 

   

Zaharie Shah was known for being a kind, and nice man towards his fellow pilots: “Among fellow aviators, Mr. Zaharie was renowned for his professionalism and bonhomie, and was regarded by younger pilots as something of a mentor. A very nice guy, passionate about aviation, and among the community of pilots, one of the most respected," a colleague told the New York Times (“Who are the pilots of flight MH370?”1). Among that having three grown children, which he loved very much. Dealing with turmoil in his love life as well: “A fellow pilot and associate of Mr. Zaharie told the New Zealand Herald" that he had been "terribly upset" by his relationship troubles (1). Speaking to the New Straits Times, Mr. Zaharie's 26-year-old son Ahmad Seth said he had ignored "all of the speculation", adding: "I know my father better." (1). It seemed as though Zaharie was hopeless with loss during the flight 370: “Several reports have, however, suggested that his wife and children moved out of the family home the day before the flight, after his wife told him she was leaving him” (“Who are the pilots of flight MH370? 1”). As opposed to a normal sane man losing his family, this would cause a difficult time for any person.

Zahaire Ahmad Shah was passionate about aviation regarding flying aircrafts.  “Among fellow aviators, Mr. Zaharie was renowned for his professionalism and bonhomie, and was regarded by younger pilots as something of a mentor. Zahaire being highly respected through his career finding it, hard to believe how deciding to maneuver the airliner into an unfortunate course” (“Who are the pilots of flight MH370?”1). Having about 18,000 hours of aviation already flown in his career, there was no possible way for it to be an accident. Knowing his passion for flight. Built a home-made flight simulator way before the crash of Flight 370, following with a YouTube channel with a few videos of tutorials. “Mr. Zaharie "was well known to many in the flight simulation community because he had developed an online presence in which he dedicated many hours of his time to promoting the enjoyment of flying generally, and flight simulation specifically," said Robert Randazzo, the president of flight simulation software developer PMDG (1). Mr. Zaharie often posted online tutorial videos relating to the simulator, addressing topics like: "How to tune aircon to save electricity." (1).

 Most of his friends proclaimed him as loving aviation so much: “A self-confessed "aviation geek", Mr. Zaharie built a flight simulator in his home mirroring the set-up of the Boeing 777-200 he was piloting” (“Who are the pilots of flight MH370?”1). “ Zaharie joined Malaysian Airline System in 1981 after training for about two years in Manila and had accumulated 18,365 flying hours since. The father of three displayed a deep passion for the Boeing 777-200 jetliner, building his own six-screen flight simulator at his home in a gated community outside of Kuala Lumpur” (Vatsyayana 1).

Also, Zaharie Shah he was a fan of cooking throughout his daily life, “He was also a proud cook, posting pictures of himself at the stove and of his dishes, and taking home-cooked food to community events” (Nelson 1). Believing heavily in his Muslim religion and sympathy for tragic events as well, Mohd Nasir said: Zaharie was a ‘‘moderate Muslim’’ who performed the daily rituals (1). Even so, Zaharie’s YouTube page linked to videos on atheism, and he subscribed to an official channel of Richard Dawkins, the author of ‘‘The God Delusion,’’ a bestseller defending atheism (1).  After the Boston Marathon bombings, Zaharie expressed condolences for the victims” (1). Furthermore, analyzing his characteristics one wouldn’t see a man risking his life and innocent people. So, what happened on Flight 370?

Many believe numerous theories relating to the Malaysian Flight 370 based on thousands of news reports and articles claiming what happened on Flight 370 to veer off course into the Indian Ocean. Narrowing it down to two conspiracies theories. One suggests pilot Zaharie Shah of flight 370 caused the airliner intentionally caused the crash. The second theory is an unknown entity that commandeered the aircraft reeling to its final moments into the Indian Ocean.   

Beginning with the first theory being as passionate for aviation as Zaharie was during his time of flying roughly already 18,000 hours throughout his career. Having been months to already four years of searching for a single reason for that caused the crash. “FBI analysis of the device showed Zaharie had conducted a simulated flight to the southern Indian Ocean less than a month before the plane vanished along a similar route. The magazine cited the discovery as strong evidence that the disappearance was a premeditated act of mass murder-suicide at the hands of the captain” (“Malaysia Confirms Flight 370 Pilot Plotted Fatal Route 1”).  Believing based on the evidence of a similar flight pattern, ending in the same outcome as the disappearance was in fact intended as a mass suicide. Crashing over the southern part of the Indian Ocean, leaving pieces of the airliner scattered drifting across massive bodies of water in different directions. Making it impossible to recover some type of evidence or answers to finding what happened on Flight 370.

Following, the strong allegations of evidence towards Mr. Zaharie blaming him for causing the crash. Having had his own flight simulator in his home, using it thought on his spare time actively throughout his career of piloting. Known as “A self-confessed "aviation geek", Mr. Zaharie built a flight simulator in his home mirroring the set-up of the Boeing 777-200 he was piloting” (Who Are the Pilots of Flight MH370?).  Which led to those accusations arising opposing Mr. Zaharie Shah about the Flight 370. Especially putting out such hate at the time based on articles depicting his downpour of losing his family and wife would cause any man grievance and resentment. Still, with those circumstances during that time would derive a morbid sense of self entailing a diabolical undertaking. Giving Zaharie Shah motive to steer the airliner to its tragic end. Yet, wondering why Zaharie flew over his hometown one last time? Before taking an alternate route on purpose to crash the plane into the ocean. What was he trying to justify? What went through his mind at the time? Pondering, the thought of Zaharie catching a glimpse of his wife and family in the end. Reminiscing of his final moments. Along with the 227 passengers on board.

Translating to the second theory rather a mysterious notion about an unknown entity commandeering Flight 370 causing the flight to parish into the Indian Ocean: “Four years have passed since the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines plane MH370 and experts have put the investigation to rest after making little progress in that time. Everyone has a theory on what happened to the flight, and some believe that aliens were directly involved” (Martin 1). Despite, people had always believed aliens existed among us already way before the Malaysian Flight 370. Then, a strange recording from the black box left on board the Malaysian Flight 370. Embarking innumerable amount of questions propelling a strong deposition that in fact was taken by aliens. Later a low-end blogger came about “A Twitter user called Ty claims he received a strange voice message from an unknown source. The message sounds like a series of numbers and letters, but according to some it is the NATO phonetic alphabet and has been translated as: “SOS Danger SOS it is dire for you to evacuate be caution they are not human 042933964230 SOS Danger SOS” (1). Expelling a notion of aliens taking the Flight 370 gathered from the black box recording. Amassing a lot of coverage for the theory during that time carving a path for different scenarios and all the skeptics to put their own input into the mix. As time unfortunately passed, an article at the peak of the alien conspiracy arose an article shadowing the claim of Ty’s alleged belief of aliens taking the Flight “However, according to fact checker website Snopes, the claim is a hoax and a ploy used by Ty to gain new followers – and if that was the case, he was successful in doing so by racking up 40,000 new followers. Snopes says: “One outlandish fantasy that has made the rounds is that the plane was taken by space aliens, as demonstrated by an apparent Internet hoax that went viral around the incident’s fourth anniversary” (1). Leaving many to relinquish the thought of aliens commandeering the Malaysian Flight 370 aircraft, because of the greed of one a person striving to gather publicity in efforts for their own benefit. Leaving it as a selfish, crude, and deviant way to gain a type of scrutiny for themselves. Inconsiderately giving a false explanation. As well as false hope for the families that tragically lost their loved ones on that perplexing crash of Flight 370 unfortunately that day.

Concluding both theories credibility would have been true, but minus the fact one completely an illusion based on a person named Ty vexing many into believing aliens commandeered the Malaysian Flight 370. Moreover, only the first theory was indefinitely based on concrete factual grounds having all evidence for the scenario for the crash of Flight 370 to be probable. Believing Zaharie Shah didn’t intentionally cause the crash just being over whelmed with loss of his family, causing anguish as he made his final pass over his hometown leading towards the middle the Indian Ocean falling off the map. Seeming more justifiable as compared to an internet hoax to have been the reason rooting a conclusion. Furthermore, on March 8^th, 2014, believe based on all the evidence gathered Zaharie Shah caused the Flight 370 plane crash into the Indian Ocean including all 227 passengers on board.

Work Citations

 CBS/AP. “Malaysia Confirms Flight 370 Pilot Plotted Fatal Route.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 5 Aug. 2016, www.cbsnews.com/news/malaysia-confirms-flight-370-pilot-plotted-fatal-route/.

 Martin, Sean. “MH370: 'They Are NON-HUMAN' Shock Claim ALIENS Responsible for Malaysia Airlines Flight.” Express.co.uk, Express.co.uk, 30 July 2018, www.express.co.uk/news/weird/996207/mh370-report-aliens-voicemail-malaysia-airlines-extraterrestrial-boeing-777.

 Nelson, Dean. “MH370: Profile of Missing Malaysian Airline Plane's Pilots Starts to Emerge.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 15 Mar. 2014, www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/10700273/MH370-profile-of-missing-Malaysian-Airline-planes-pilots-starts-to-emerge.html.

 Vatsyayana, Manan. “Investigators Piece Together Profile of Malaysia Airlines Pilot - The Boston Globe.” BostonGlobe.com, 19 Mar. 2014, www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2014/03/19/investigators-piece-together-profile-malaysia-airlines-pilot/JVv63ANOOHsUHmaUeWt5vN/story.html.

 “Who Are the Pilots of Flight MH370?” BBC News, BBC, 27 Mar. 2014, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26628684.