Missing Malaysia jet used 'terrain masking' to avoid radar in 3 countries

As the search for the missing Malaysia Airline passenger jet enters its 10th day, it has been reportedly suggested that the plane dropped to very low altitudes of 5000 feet using a dangerous flying technique called 'terrain masking' to avoid radar in at least three countries.

After experts indicated that the plane's communication systems were deliberately switched off to make the plane undetectable on civil radar, investigators were now looking at the possibility of the plane being flown to Taliban bases on the borders of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, terrain masking is used by military pilots for stealth flights and as the missing plane continued to fly for several hours after getting off radar, authorities believe MH370 would have passed over two additional countries besides Malaysia.

Investigators have also revealed that after the satellite data indicating the deliberate action of switching off the plane's transponders to make it undetectable, they have expanded their search to 22 countries.

Investigators also believe that by following commercial routes the plane did not raise the suspicion of people monitoring radar of the countries it overflew.

Malaysia has asked countries to make data on their satellites available to assist the search but some have not because of sensitivities sharing information that involves national security, the report said.

The report said that the plane had enough fuel for the almost six hour flight to Kuala Lumpur plus 45 minutes of fuel to spare in case of diversion to another airport.

However, since the pings or satellite signals that the plane gave out after disappearing from the radar stopped after the sixth ping, indicating that either the plane's engine was shut off or it simply crashed.

The ill-fated Flight MH370 is being searched since 8th March, when it was first reported missing soon after take off from Kuala Lumpur and a number of theories have emerged about the mysterious disappearance, including sea crash, hijack and pilot suicide.