NUMEROUS high-energy objects pierced the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 as it flew over eastern Ukrainian airspace, causing the aircraft to break up mid-air, found a preliminary report released yesterday by the Dutch Safety Board.
The board stated it was likely that this damage resulted in a loss of structural integrity of the aircraft that led to an inflight break-up, explaining the abrupt end to the data registration on the recorders, the simultaneous loss of contact with air traffic control and the aircraft’s disappearance from radar.
While the 35-page report did not specifically say MH17 was downed by a surface-to-air missile, commentators for news agency BBC noted that the report of “high-energy objects” is consistent with how Russian surface Buk missiles work – exploding near the target to pierce it with shrapnel.
The report, which is available on the Dutch Safety Board website, ruled out pilot error and mechanical problems, and also said that there had been no on-board emergencies, pointing to an external cause instead.
Tjibbe Joustra, chairman of the Dutch Safety Board, said in the report: “The initial results of the investigation point towards an external cause of the MH17 crash. More research will be necessary to determine the cause with greater precision.”
No blame was attributed by the report, which was aimed solely at establishing the aviation circumstances surrounding the tragedy, but international media such as the Wall Street Journal have highlighted the growing amount of evidence pointing towards Russia’s role in the incident.
The board’s final report is expected to be published next year.
