re question 2: Commercial pilots do not make the decision to “divert” by hundreds of miles. They are ordered to do so by ATC or they request clearance to do so fomr ATC.
re Questin 3: the BUK functions with some interface from early warning and air traffic radars. So the operators know a target is approaching, when, altitude etc
So - who was manning Ukraine’s national ATC and what was their role in directing and communicating with this aircraft presumably via unsecure network? Why did they route that jet over that area when so many commercial routes are well to the south?
Talking pieholes on MEDia keep spouting that Russia is solely responsible because this sector is “controlled” by separatists, the territory is not controlled by Ukraine. BUT - Ukraine certainly does control its national airspace for civil aviation.
The airspace above this area could have been declared by the govt of Ukraine as a no-fly zone and commercial traffic diverted to the south- so why didn’t they do this?
Was the government of Ukraine setting up a provocation (and sending this airliner into harms way), knowing they would reap a political windfall from an incident like this?
If so, there is blame and culpability to share
You make a good point. From what I had heard, the pilot had seen bad weather on the usual southern route, so he requested the diversion (which is beyond strange considering the destination).
But you are correct, air traffic control had to sign off on it, and that should be investigated since it is all recorded presumably.
As to a plot by Ukraine to divert planes to an area they might be shot down, that seems like a really stupid plan. They would have to be counting on the Russian separatist group being insane, because if BUK was used, it was an intentionl shooting down of a commercial jet undoubtedly. That is IF it was the BUK System.
Well that one point is valid..the rebels do not have a civilian air traffic control so did not directed the flight over this area..
the air traffic is controlled by Ukraine..
but both Russian and Ukraine because the do have aircraft control would be aware in was an airline and Wan would either gain by knowing downing one?
So that point back to the Rebel because they would be the only ones that would not have an traffic control and so not know what was flying over and stupid enough to shoot at an unknown aircraft flying over.