I guess the only wrinkle in the fire theory is that it appears to be confirmed that the these U-turn coordinates were programmed 12 minutes prior to the "good night" sign off.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/101505345
Quote:
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The change in direction was made at least 12 minutes before co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid said "All right, good night," to controllers on the ground, the sources said.
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The fire theory, which was the most plausible one that I have read, states that these coordinates were entered as they were the ones that directed the plane to the closest runway that can accommodate a Boeing 777. However was the pilot just entering these in case of emergency 12 minutes before signing off then, boom, fire and and plane diverts from original course and chooses planned emergency landing course?
Does a pilot constantly update the nearest runways that can accommodate a Boeing 777 throughout a flight?