Reading List
Books & Papers
Books, official reports, and academic papers on MH370
Books
MH370: Mystery Solved
Former Canadian aviation accident investigator Vance argues that the debris evidence — particularly the condition of the flaperon — conclusively demonstrates the aircraft was deliberately flown into the ocean under pilot control. A forceful, evidence-based read, though his end-of-flight conclusions remain debated among researchers.
Find on AmazonThe Taking of MH370
Aviation journalist Jeff Wise explores the evidence and competing theories in accessible, narrative form. Wise is willing to follow the evidence into uncomfortable territory and has updated his thinking publicly over the years. An engaging starting point for readers new to the case who want more depth than media coverage provides.
Find on AmazonThe Hunt for MH370
Australian journalist Ean Higgins covers the investigation, search, and the competing pressures of politics, science, and grief that shaped the response to the disappearance. Strong on the journalistic and governmental dimension of the story.
Google BooksThe Plane That Wasn't There
Wise's earlier, shorter work — named Best Kindle Single of 2015 — covering the first year of the mystery and the author's initial analysis of the satellite data and emerging theories. A good complement to his later, updated book.
Official Reports
Malaysian Safety Investigation Report
The definitive official report on the disappearance, released 30 July 2018. 495 pages covering everything known about the aircraft, crew, cargo, flight path, and search operations. Concludes that deliberate action caused the diversion but does not assign individual responsibility. Freely available online.
Malaysia MOTATSB Final Report: Operational Search for MH370
ATSB's comprehensive report on the 2014–2017 deep-water search covering the methodology, equipment, seabed mapping results, and the satellite data analysis underpinning the search zone. An essential technical reference.
ATSB websiteAcademic & Technical Papers
Bayesian Methods in the Search for MH370
Published by the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group and CSIRO, this book-length technical paper describes the probabilistic Bayesian framework used to define the search zone from the Inmarsat satellite data. Rigorous and highly technical — the mathematical foundation of the search strategy.
CSIRO Drift Analysis Papers
A series of papers by CSIRO oceanographer David Griffin using oceanographic drift models to trace the confirmed debris back to its source location. Among the most directly actionable research linking physical evidence to a probable crash site. Available through the ATSB and CSIRO websites.
Via ATSB