Mh-370 ; New Theory Sees Possible Fire on Missing Jet.

A new theory claims that a fire broke out aboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 and the crew was doing what it could to save passengers and themselves

That theory, first floated by Chris Goodfellow, a pilot with 20 years of experience, holds that a fire on board the aircraft caused the pilots to set course for the nearest viable airport. Heading back to Kuala Lumpur would have meant traversing 8,000-foot ridges. AA much more feasible option would have been the 13,000-foot runway at Pulau Langkawi, a destination which would correspond with the new route the aircraft appeared to have followed.

Malaysian officials have previously said the communication systems on MH370 were shut off deliberately as the aircraft was in transition between Malaysian and Vietnamese radar coverage — a notion that has given rise to several conspiracy theories. The homes of captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah and his first officer Fariq Abdul Hamid have been searched, and their backgrounds as well as everyone else on board the jet are being scrutinized.

“Both the theory of foul play and that of a fire are possible and important to explore,” concedes Rodger. “But I’m an optimist. I want to believe that the pilots did everything to save the airplane.”