Flight MH370/Chronology/Phase 1

Timeline of events related to Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 which occurred prior to Departure

Event Colour Code

From 12:44 MYT Friday 7 March 2014 to 40:37 MYT Saturday 8 March 2014
(0444 UTC to 1640:37 UTC Friday 7 March 2014)

Malaysia Airlines MH370 — Pre-Flight Timeline

8 March 2014  ·  Kuala Lumpur → Beijing  ·  Boeing 777-200ER 9M-MRO

Ground / ATC

Aircraft / Crew

Radar observation

SATCOM / Inmarsat

Ground & ATC

Aircraft / Flight

Pre-Flight Friday 7 March 2014 (MYT)

7 Mar · 12:44 MYT
MH370 Flight Plan Filed
MAS Operations filed the Flight Plan for MH370

20:50:19 MYT
Satcom Initiates Log-On
The Satellite Data Unit (SDU) on Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 registered 9M-MRO initiated Log-On to Inmarsat POR I-3 satellite

20:50:22 MYT
ACARS Connects to SITA
ACARS on aircraft 9M-MRO connected to service provider SITA via VHF Radio

22:50 MYT
Captain Zaharie Shah signed in
Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah, Pilot-In-Command of MH370, signed in for duty.

23:03:36 MYT
MH370 Flight Plan Uploaded to 9M-MRO
The MH370 Flight Plan was uploaded to Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 9M-MRO via ACARS as a Flight Planning System Interface Message.

23:15 MYT
Fariq Ab.Hamid signed in. MAS Releases Flight
The First officer, Fariq Ab.Hamid, signed in.
The MAS Operations Despatch Centre (ODC) released the flight at around 1515 UTC [2315 MYT].

23:54:31 MYT
MAS Contacts 9M-MRO via ACARS
Malaysia Airlines Operations Centre contacted MH370 by sending an ACARS message (over VHF) suggesting that VHF3 be switched (from data) to voice if the SATCOM system was operational (serviceable)

23:54:41 MYT
ACARS Established SATCOM
ACARS Downlink message from 9M-MRO confirms Satcom connected.

23:54:53 MYT
ACARS Message: VHF Datalink Lost
ACARS message sent via Satcom indicates VHF Datalink 'Lost' which confirms VHF radio (VHF3) had been switched from data to voice.

23:55:57 MYT
Satcom Initiates Log-On with Valid Flight ID
The SATCOM initiates a normal Log On Renewal as Class 1 (data only capable) via the POR I-3 satellite, using the LGA subsystem, this time with a valid Flight ID.

23:57:49 MYT
ACARS Re-established Datalink
ACARS re-established the datalink between the aircraft 9M-MRO and the service provider (SITA), via the satellite communications system.

23:59:57 MYT
SATCOM Initiates Log-On Handover to IOR I-3
The SATCOM initiates a Log-On handover as Class 3 (voice and data capable) to the IOR I-3 satellite, using the HGA subsystem, with a valid Flight ID.

Pre-Flight continues on 8 March 2014 (MYT)

00:00:13 MYT
ACARS Re-established Datalink
ACARS re-established the datalink between the aircraft 9M-MRO and the service provider (SITA), via the satellite communications system.

00:06:15 MYT
MAS Uploads Special Loads NOTOC
Malaysia Airlines used ACARS to send a list of the perishable cargo (Mangosteens) loaded on-board 9M-MRO. Fails to mention Lithium batteries.

00:06:32 MYT
MAS Uploads Final Load Sheet
SUMMARY

00:09:28 MYT
Captain Shah Acknowledges Loadsheet
In an ACARS message from the aircraft, Captain Shah responded to the request to acknowledge the Final Loadsheet by writing LS FINAL OK and quoting his licence number 751.

00:10:54 MYT
ACARS Re-established Datalink
ACARS on the aircraft 9M-MRO re-established a datalink over the satellite communications system.

00:25:52 MYT
First Officer Contacts Lumpur Airways Clearance Delivery at KLIA
"Delivery Malaysian Three Seven Zero good morning"
"Malaysian Three Seven Zero we are ready requesting flight level three five zero to Beijing"

00:26:41 MYT
Lumpur Delivery Responds
"Malaysian Three Zeven Zero is cleared to Beijing via Pibos Alpha Departure six thousand feet squawk two one five seven"

00:27:31 MYT
First Officer Contacts Lumpur Ground
"Ground Malaysian Three Seven Zero good morning Charlie One requesting push and start"

00:27:43 MYT
Lumpur Ground Responds
"Push back and start approved Three Two Right exit Sierra Four POB two three niner Mike Romeo Oscar"

00:27:57 MYT
ACARS OOOI B777 OUT Report
ACARS sent an 'Out-of-the-gate' report via the satellite communications datalink.

---

Friday 7 March 2014

 12:44 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

The Flight Plan for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was Filed (transmitted over the Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunications Network (AFTN) at 0444 UTC [1244 MYT], on Friday 7 March 2014 - about 12 hours earlier than the scheduled departure (off-the-block) time from KLIA at 1635 UTC [0035 MYT Saturday 8 March 2014].

 20:50:19 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

The Satellite Data Unit (SDU) on Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 registered 9M-MRO initiated the first of several Log-On requests to the Inmarsat satellite communications system.
The transmission was relayed via Inmarsat's Pacific Ocean Region I-3 satellite to the Ground Earth Station (GES) near Perth in Western Australia.

 20:50:22 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

ACARS on aircraft registered 9M-MRO established a connection with Malaysia Airlines' service provider SITA using a VHF radio to a (SITA) VHF datalink service at KUL - at or near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). No Flight ID was available to the ACARS at this time.

 22:50 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah signed in for duty.

 23:03:36 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

The MH370 Flight Plan was uploaded to Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 9M-MRO via ACARS as a Flight Planning System Interface Message.

 23:15 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

The First officer, Fariq Ab.Hamid, signed in (25 minutes later than Captain Shah).

Captain Shah, as the Pilot in Command, assigned the First Officer to be the Pilot Flying.

The Malaysia Airlines Operations Despatch Centre (ODC) released the flight at around 23:15 MYT.

 23:54:31 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

Malaysia Airlines Operations Centre contacted MH370 by sending an ACARS message (over VHF) suggesting that VHF3 be switched (from data) to voice if the SATCOM system was operational (serviceable). Future communications to and from the aircraft by ACARS would then be (automatically) sent via the SATCOM system.

 23:54:41 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

ACARS Established SATCOM.

 23:54:53 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

ACARS used the SATCOM system to indicate that the VHF datalink had been 'lost'.

This indicates that the VHF radio (VHF3) had been switched from data to voice in accordance with the instruction from Malaysia Airlines Operations Centre at 23:54:31 MYT.

 23:55:57 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

The SATCOM initiates a normal Log On Renewal as Class 1 (data only capable) via the POR I-3 satellite, using the LGA subsystem, this time with a valid Flight ID.

 23:56:08 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

ACARS Established SATCOM.

 23:57:49 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

The SATCOM initiates a normal Log-On as Class 3 (voice and data capable) via the POR I-3 satellite, using the High Gain Antenna (HGA) subsystem, with a valid Flight ID. This suggests that the ADIRU derived navigation data has become available at this time.

 23:57:57 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

ACARS re-established the datalink between the aircraft 9M-MRO and the service provider (SITA), via the satellite communications system. (The SATCOM had been logged in as Data Only, until 23:57:49 MYT when it changed to Voice and Data).

The SDU was still using the Inmarsat POR-1 satellite and both the Flight ID and the Aircraft Number remained correct.

 23:59:57 MYT Friday 7 March 2014

Event Details

The SATCOM initiates a Log-On handover as Class 3 (voice and data capable) to the IOR I-3 satellite, using the HGA subsystem, with a valid Flight ID. This suggests that the IOR is now considered to be the best available satellite. This is probably because either the line of sight to the IOR satellite is now clearer than that to the POR satellite, or the antenna gain in the direction of the IOR satellite has become higher than the antenna gain in the direction of the POR satellite.

---

Saturday 8 March 2014

 00:00:13 MYT Saturday 8 March 2014

Event Details

ACARS re-established the datalink between the aircraft 9M-MRO and the service provider (SITA), via the satellite communications system. The satellite communications path had been transferred from the Pacific Ocean Region satellite to the Indian Ocean Region.

 00:06:15 MYT

Event Details

Malaysia Airlines used ACARS to send a list of the perishable cargo loaded on-board 9M-MRO as a SPECIAL LOAD NOTOC or Notice To Crew. The message was routed via the service provider for ACARS (SITA) then over the satellite communications service provided by Inmarsat. The message was sent direct to the (cockpit) aircraft printer and to be printed out by the (flight) crew. The automated response MAS-S (successful) at 0006:32 MYT indicates that the message was transmitted successfully. Information about this event is summarised in the table below.

The NOTOC stated the special loads of total 4,566 kg of mangosteen fruit were carried on board. Details of the mangosteens were: 1,128 kg at station 41L, 1,152 kg at station 41R, 1,148 kg at station 43L and 1,138 kg at 44L respectively. The message concluded with the declaration “There is no evidence that any damaged or leaking packages containing dangerous goods have been loaded on the aircraft at this station”.

 00:06:32 MYT

Event Details

The Final Load Sheet for the aircraft 9M-MRO was sent by Malaysia Airlines using ACARS over the satellite communications system. The loadsheet was sent to the aircraft printer, to be printed out by the crew. An acknowledgement from the flight crew was requested. (Acknowledgement was sent at 00:09:28 MYT).

 00:09:28 MYT

Event Details

In an ACARS message from the aircraft, Captain Shah responded to the request to acknowledge the Final Loadsheet by writing LS FINAL OK and quoting his licence number 751.

 00:10:54 MYT

Event Details

ACARS on the aircraft 9M-MRO re-established a datalink over the satellite communications system - for no apparent reason.

00:25:52 MYT

Event Details

The First Officer, Fariq Hamid, used VHF radio to contact Lumpur Airways Clearance Delivery at Kuala Lumpur Area Control Centre (KL ACC). The FO requested flight level three five zero to Beijing.

Lumpur Delivery responded at 1626:41 MYT "Malaysian Three Zeven Zero is cleared to Beijing via Pibos Alpha Departure six thousand feet squawk two one five seven".

'Two One Five Seven' is the allocated transponder code for flight MH370.

 00:27:31 MYT

Event Details

The First Officer used VHF radio to contact Lumpur Ground at 0027:31 MYT and requested a pushback and start clearance.

The request was approved at 0027:37 MYT. MH370 was directed to KLIA runway 32R.

 00:27:57 MYT

Event Details

ACARS sent an 'Out-of-the-gate' report via the satellite communications datalink.

 00:29:33 MYT

Event Details

A status report for the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) was generated by the Aircraft Condition Monitoring System (ACMS) which is interfaced with ACARS. The APU Report was then sent by ACARS over the satellite communications datalink.

The report stated the total APU cycles and hours were 15,699 cycles and 22,093 hours. APU hours for the previous flight was 4 hours.

 00:32:18 MYT

Event Details

At 0032:18 MYT the First Officer used VHF radio to contact Lumpur Ground and request approval to taxi.

Lumpur Ground responded at 0032:33 MYT "...clear taxi to holding point Alfa One One Runway Three Two Right via Standard Route hold short of Bravo".

The FO ended the call at 1636:30 MYT by confirming the frequency to use for Lumpur Tower .

 00:35 MYT

Event Details

Based on the filed Flight Plan, the off-the-block time for MH370 was expected to be 1635 UTC (0035 MYT) however this event occurred earlier at 00:27:57 MYT.

 00:40:37 MYT

Event Details

The First Officer contacted Lumpur Tower at 0036:30 MYT.

At 0040:37 MYT Lumpur Tower cleared flight MH370 for take-off from runway 32R.

---

---

Back to TOP
Disclaimer

This Timeline has been created by deconstructing official documents and linking these extracts in a way which simulates a chronological sequence and facilitates access to further detail and explanatory notes for time-related events in the narrative of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.

Malaysian Time (MYT) is Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) + 8 hours

Coordinated Universal Time

Boeing 777-200 Extended Range

Aircraft Registration Number for the Boeing 777 used for Flight MH370. More Info

Air Traffic Control

Satellite Communications

Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network

The estimated time at which the aircraft will commence movement associated with departure (ICAO Doc 4444).

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Satellite Data Unit

Ground earth station. A satellite ground station sends or receives data from orbiting satellites. (Source: ATSB)

Aircraft Communication and Reporting System

Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques

Very High Frequency

Kuala Lumpur

Flight Identifier, for example MH370

Captain and Pilot in Command, MH370

First Officer, MH370

Operations Despatch Centre

ACARS data link established over a SATCOM link

Inmarsat geostationary satellite above the Pacific Ocean

Low Gain Antenna

HGAs

High Gain Antenna(s)

Air Data Inertial Reference Unit

Pacific Ocean Region

Inmarsat geostationary satellite above the Indian Ocean

Indian Oceanic Region

Notice to Crew

Malaysia Airline Systems

Load Sheet

First Officer, MH370

Kuala Lumpur Area Control Centre (or Air Traffic Control Centre)

First Officer

Auxiliary Power Unit

Aircraft Condition Monitoring System