Missing Malaysian jet was likely on autopilot for hours

The conclusion was reached by studying transmission data between the plane and a telecommunications satellite owned by Inmarsat ISAT.LN +3.38% PLC, which showed it taking a straight course over thousands of miles before it likely ran out of fuel on March 8, said Martin Dolan, chief commissioner of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

Mr. Dolan said it isn’t clear how the plane’s autopilot function became operational some time after it passed by the tip of Sumatra in Indonesia, but typically it would involve either the pilot or a crew member switching it on. Investigators believe the plane was probably on autopilot when it made each of seven ping transmissions to the Inmarsat satellite.