Part 3/10:
The Disappearance
At 1:19 a.m., Captain Zahari issued a casual "goodnight" to Malaysian air traffic control as they transitioned to Vietnamese control but soon after took steps that led to the flight's sudden disappearance. The captain contacted First Officer Fari, requesting coffee, and as the First Officer stepped out, Zahari executed his meticulous plan.
Using knowledge acquired through months of training, Zahari disabled the cockpit's transponder—a device crucial for tracking the aircraft via radar—and ACARS, the aircraft's communication system. These deliberate actions effectively rendered Flight 370 invisible to both air traffic controllers and ground communications.