Re the Maldives witnesses who claim the plane was so low and close they could "see the doors" -- well, did they happen to catch the word "MALAYSIA" on the side!? Did the media care to ASK this rather important question?
I agree it seems a little serendipitous. However, my own experience of low-flying a/c is that by the time I've heard it and raced outside, I'm looking at a plane moving away from me, with little chance of reading any writing on the side. I imagine the 'doors' they mention may well be the undercarriage bay doors.