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Root Cause Analysis (RCA) of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370's Disappearance

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370's Disappearance

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 on March 8th, 2014, remains one of the most baffling and tragic mysteries in aviation history. ProSolvr for Root Cause Analysis can help unravel complex events and effectively investigate their causes.

MH370 was a scheduled passenger flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing, China. The airplane was a Boeing 777-200ER. There were 227 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The co-pilot made the last voice communication from the cockpit at 01:19 MYT. The plane was detected by military radar at 02:22 MYT over the Andaman Sea for the last time, hundreds of miles off course. The authorities never found the black boxes. Information about what happened in the final hours of MH370 is still missing, hampering the investigation and leaving many questions unanswered.

Authorities focused the search on the South China Sea. They later shifted to the Indian Ocean after military radar data indicated the plane had diverted westward. Investigators from the British company Inmarsat analyzed the satellite communications data. They believed the aircraft ended its flight in the southern Indian Ocean. They carried out a large-scale search in this remote area. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) led a thorough underwater search. It extended over an area of 120,000 sq. km. But they did not find any significant wreckage.

In conclusion, despite the extensive search efforts and analysis, the lack of conclusive evidence and the absence of the black boxes have made it incredibly challenging to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the disappearance of MH370. However, continued efforts in analyzing available data and applying systematic problem-solving approaches remain crucial in the ongoing quest for answers and closure for the families of the passengers and crew.

Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370

    • Man
      • Sabotage by crew or passenger
      • Pilot's intentional deviation from planned route
      • Insufficient emergency crew training
      • Pilot mental health issues/suicide
      • Miscommunication between flight and ground crew
    • Machine
      • Avionics bay malfunctioning
      • Faulty flight instruments affecting decision-making
      • Undetected mechanical failures
      • Navigation/communication issues due to electrical failure
      • Tracking failure due to faulty transponder
    • Method
      • Red tape delays holding back search and rescue
      • Inadequate/poor emergency protocols
      • Long lag time between flight monitoring and action
      • Delayed response of air traffic control
    • Management
      • Unauthorized cockpit access
      • Inadequate Malaysia Airlines safety protocols
      • Lack of compliance with aviation regulations
      • Poor crisis management by Malaysia Airlines
    • Material
      • Lapses in maintenance records
      • Probability of pre-existing aircraft issues
      • Possible fuel exhaustion
      • Unaddressed maintenance needs
    • Environment
      • Vast oceanic search and rescue domain
      • Geopolitical factors affecting search and rescue
      • Cabin decompression due to pressure fluctuations
      • Lack of open-sea navigational aids
      • Poor weather conditions in the deep sea
    • Miscellaneous
      • Hazardous gas/chemical leakage incapacitating crew
      • Plane shot down by military
      • Explosion in cargo area

This fishbone diagram facilitates visual problem analysis. Within this Ishikawa diagram template lie crucial factors contributing to the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.

Who should use the Missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 Flight template?

  • The disappearance of MH370 offers numerous lessons for various stakeholders within the aviation industry. The fishbone diagram (Ishikawa diagram) can provide valuable insights not only for airline manufacturers and companies but also for regulatory bodies like ICAO and GADSS. Additionally, technology developers and professionals involved in satellite communications can find this template beneficial for learning and analysis.
  • Why use the Missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 Flight template?

  • This template serves as a structured framework for conducting Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and understanding the complexities surrounding the disappearance of MH370. By utilizing the fishbone diagram (Ishikawa diagram) within this template, stakeholders can systematically explore and identify the underlying factors contributing to the incident. This approach promotes a comprehensive understanding of the root causes, enabling informed decision-making, improved safety protocols, and proactive measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Additionally, the template fosters collaboration among various industry stakeholders, facilitating knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in aviation safety and security practices.

  • Create or customize your templates for problem analysis in ProSolvr by smartQED.

    Curated from community experience and public sources:

  • https://www.britannica.com/event/Malaysia-Airlines-flight-370-disappearance
  • https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/214908_EOFDM_WGA_Runway_Excursions-R1.pdf