The still missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 plunged into the sea at high speed with no one at the controls in the cockpit, according to the latest theory published by investigators.
The latest analysis of the last moments of the doomed jet was outlined in a new technical report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
It said there was a rapid, uncontrollable descent into the ocean rather than being deliberately flown by a pilot.
The ATSB report made its case as analysis of recovered debris from a wing suggests the pilot had not extended the wing flap for an impending landing.
The plane was ‘in a high and increasing rate of descent’ before it plunged into the ocean, it said.
"What we’ve concluded from the analysis of that section of right main flap is that it was probably in a non-extended position which means that the aircraft wasn’t configured for a landing or a ditching. You can draw your own conclusions as to whether that means someone was in control," search director peter Foley of the ATSB.
MH370 vanished in March 2014 en route to Beijing and was carrying 239 passengers and crew.
The 28-page report was published as officials from Australia, Malaysia and China attended a meeting convened by the ATSB to review all search data so far and agree next steps.
The original 120,000 square km search zone will likely be completed early in 2017, and authorities previously said it will be discontinued in the absence of more ‘credible’ information.
