Or could have the SATCOM antenna that provides the uplink data have been coincident with a depressurisation event as described in the link... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/10691089/Malaysia-Airlines-mystery-US-issued-warnings-over-Boeing-777-weak-spot.html Could have the flight continued on its way until it ran out of fuel which means the search area may end up being N-E of the destination?