Malaysian airlines 777 missing

[GScholz]

All hope is lost. How long should their families wait until they get to take care of their lost ones' affairs?

[Groth]

 Someone w/more real knowledge correct me...but the 'black-box' will function if all circuits are cut.

 And 'hope' springs eternal..... Just sayin'
                                                         Peace to all those missing their loved ones and friends.
                                                           JGroth

[GScholz]

The black box draws power from the aircraft. On TWA 800, which exploded in mid-air, they identified electrical shorting due to the black box recording cutting out intermittently.

[Groth]

 Forgive me if I await someone 'IN' the field....someone with more direct knowledge.
                                                                                                                   JGroth

[GScholz]

You are forgiven. 

[Puma44]

Forgive me if I await someone 'IN' the field....someone with more direct knowledge.
                                                                                                                   JGroth

Hey JG!  Hard to say what happened since the only two that know the facts are unavailable.  There are so many variables that could have played out.  One thing that is fairly evident is the apparent intentional transponder disabling.  This seems to suggest someone in the cockpit, one or both pilots or a external party, shut the transponder off via the switch or a circuit breaker.  In the "normal" world of aviation ops, the transponder is a pilot's best friend.  If a chaotic event occurs, selecting the emergency code gets ATC's immediate attention and all kinds of assistance.  In this instance, it appears that someone in the cockpit wanted to be as invisible as possible.  Just some thoughts for consideration.

Take care bud!   

[Groth]

 Puma! I really was Po'd my puter wasn't up to the wingman stuff you tried to teach us! I've backed off abit on flying as 'spring' is busy time.
 Bless you and yours, buddy, blue skies!
                                                            JGroth

[Puma44]

 

Puma! I really was Po'd my puter wasn't up to the wingman stuff you tried  to teach us! I've backed off abit on flying as 'spring' is busy time.
 Bless you and yours, buddy, blue skies!
                                                            JGroth

Right back at ya, my friend!   

[Groth]

  Sir...even more off topic..Phantom sexiest jet, ever!

 Now..back to topic at hand!
                                        JGroth

[Puma44]

  Sir...even more off topic..Phantom sexiest jet, ever!

 Now..back to topic at hand!
                                        JGroth

Ditto!  Back in! 

[Groth]

 I would suspect the culpret for the cutting/in/out on 'TWA 800' was due to the internals of 'black box' switching from it's batterries to the live on-board charging system of the aircraft as they came on-line than off-line...but what do I know?? I also suspect(w/o knowledge) this is less of problem 'now'. ...but what do I know?? Less & less as I get older.
                                                    JGroth

[Puma44]

Hard to say until the wreckage and black boxes are located.  A whole lot of questions to be answered with this one.

[cattb]

(if they find the plane and black boxes)

[Puma44]

..and a big if, it is.

[Scherf]

Interesting interview on the beeb with one of the Inmarsat satellite guys:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26723980