According to our information, the aircraft was flying at Flight Level 330 (approximately 10,000 metres/33,000 feet) when it disappeared from the radar. This route had been closed by the Ukrainian authorities from ground to flight level 320 but was open at the level at which the aircraft was flying.
What kind of thinking will lead one to flight plan at FL330, when the airspace below is closed for damn good reasons? What risk assessment took place, and how could the outcome from such an assessment ever come to the conclusion 330 and above would be safe, when 320 and below are demonstrably not?
Given the fact at least 23 US citizens were killed as a direct result of a conscious decision to route over this area, a phalanx of exceedingly well versed corporate culpability lawyers will have a field day with this one, to the extent it might very well bankrupt Malaysian Airlines. And I, for one, honestly hope it does, for the single reason of giving every other airline such a scare, they might actually live up their mantra of 'safety first and above all else'. Those of us who've been in the industry long enough, knows just how hollow that rings when put up against the might of financial interests.