Airlines

‘MH370: The Plane That Disappeared’ streaming on Netflix

On March 8, 2014, Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 departed Kuala Lumpur for Beijing on a regular red-eye flight with 239 passengers and crew. No one in command could explain why the plane vanished from radar screens shortly after takeoff. The three-part speculative docuseries MH370: The Aircraft That Disappeared brings together a global network of family members, experts, and investigative journalists who are all still looking for answers nine years after the catastrophe.

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What really happened to MH370?

When Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 disappeared in 2014, it plunged the passengers’ next of kin into a waking nightmare. Episode 1 of MH370: The Plane That Disappeared takes a close look into the first few hours and days following the plane’s disappearance, including what happened when conspiracy theories and false accusations started to spiral out of control.

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Further complicating the story of the disappearance of MH370 was what happened later. In July of that same year, Malaysian Airlines lost another aircraft when MH17 was shot down by a Russian missile. It was recently confirmed by an international team of investigators that there were “strong indications” that it was approved by Russian heads of state, which Russia has denied. In Episode 2 of MH370: The Plane That Disappeared, experts discuss how the chances of two aircraft from the same airline crashing in such a short time frame are infinitesimal, causing the conspiracy theories to go even further.

Who’s featured in MH370: The Plane That Disappeared?

Jeff Wise, science journalist and author of The Plane That Wasn’t There: Why We Haven’t Found MH370, is featured in the docuseries along with reporter and foreign correspondent Florence de Changy. Many of the victims’ next of kin including families from China, Malaysia, Australia and France are interviewed. Says director Louise Malkinson, “[The families] want people to keep talking about this. The families want a platform to be able to say, ‘Come on, it’s been nine years.’ They were all united on that.”

Is the search for MH370 still ongoing?

Authorities officially ended the search for MH370 in 2017, but many independent investigators and aviation experts are still looking for answers. Says journalist Jeff Wise, as long as the plane is not found, “the entire aviation industry has an asterisk next to it.”

Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.