Last week's quick fall of Malaysia Airlines flight MH2664 was attributed to a 'technical fault' caused by a failing pitot-static system, according to Malaysia's civil aviation authorities.
When the Boeing 737-800 returned to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, it was in way from Kuala Lumpur to Tawau, Sabah (KUL). The Malaysia Airlines (MAS) plane experienced an abrupt, quick drop while travelling at 30,000 feet, which one passenger characterised as a 10-minute dive.
The plane took a convoluted path back to KUL and was subsequently grounded. The eight-year-old Boeing 737-800 hasn't flown since the April 3 voyage, according to Flightradar24.com.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) published a statement on Sunday, April 10, stating that the technical issue that occurred during the flight was caused by a malfunction of the pitot-static system, based on an assessment of the flight data recorder.
CAAM CEO Chester Voo said in a statement, "This malfunction produced a false speed indication onboard, resulting in the aircraft pitching up and deactivating the autopilot. In response to this, the pilot in command's immediate and correct reaction was to regain positive control of the aircraft."
The remedial procedures, according to Voo, resulted in pitch and altitude alterations that matched the pilot's assessment and the passengers' onboard experience.
