MH370 Timeline - Departure To Loss Of Contact/0121:13 MYT
01:21:13 MYT Saturday, 8 March 2014
This page provides details for events related to Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 which occurred at or near the time of 01:21:13 MYT Saturday, 8 March 2014.
Note: Malaysian Time (MYT) is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) plus 8 hours.
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Summary
The radar position symbol of MH370 disappeared at 1721:13 UTC (0121:13 MYT). The KL ACC radar and the Bangkok radar both recorded the target drop at 1721:13 UTC (0121:13 MYT).
MH370 was 3.2 nm beyond waypoint IGARI when the SSR radar position symbol of MH370 dropped off from ATC radar display.
Military radar (Primary Radar) showed the radar return of MH370 turning right but shortly after, making a constant left turn to heading of 273°, flying parallel to Airway M765 to VKB (Kota Bharu).
KL ACC Radar also captured the disappearance of MH370 at 1721:13 UTC [0121:13 MYT] but this was not noticed by the Duty KL ACC Radar Controller.
Event Details
Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 1.1.1
...the last secondary radar position symbol of MH370 was recorded at 1721:13 UTC (0121:13 MYT).
The disappearance of the radar position symbol of MH370 was captured by the KL ACC radar at 1721:13 UTC (0121:13 MYT). The Malaysian military radar and radar sources from two other countries, namely Viet Nam and Thailand, also captured the disappearance of the radar position symbol of MH370. The Bangkok radar target drop occurred at 1721:13 UTC (0121:13 MYT) and Viet Nam’s at 1720:59 UTC (0120:59 MYT).
Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 2.2.7 Table 2.2C - Chronology of ATC Events following the Disappearance of MH370
3.2 nm after passing IGARI, SSR radar position symbol of MH370 dropped off from radar display. Two radar sources, from Viet Nam and Thailand respectively, captured the disappearance of the radar position symbol of MH370 vis-à-vis Bangkok radar target drop at 1721:13 UTC [0121:13 MYT] and Viet Nam’s at 1720:59 UTC [0120:59 MYT].
Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 1.1.3 Diversion from Filed Flight Plan Route
At 1721:13 UTC [0121:13 MYT] the Military radar showed the radar return of MH370 turning right but shortly after, making a constant left turn to heading of 273°, flying parallel to Airway M765 to VKB (Kota Bharu).
Notes
Safety Investigation Report MH370/01/2018 1.1.3 Diversion from Filed Flight Plan Route 4) Kuala Lumpur ACC Radar
KL ACC Radar captured the disappearance of MH370 at 1721:13 UTC [0121:13 MYT]. In interviews with the Duty KL ACC Radar Controller, he stated that he did not notice the “blip” disappearance as MH370 was out of radar coverage and would be in contact with HCM ACC after the transfer of responsibility was effected.
- MH370 did not disappear. The radar symbol disappeared. The secondary surveillance radar used by air traffic control relies on a transponder on the aircraft to return a response with an identification code (A2157 for MH370) and other data. The transponder had been working up to the time of 0121:13 MYT.
- An aircraft without a functioning transponder would still be 'visible' to Primary Radar as that captures a signal reflected from the aircraft surface. MH370 was observed by military primary radar without a military response, and captured by civilian (ATC) primary radar without being noticed.
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