Why did no one on MH370 call for help?

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No Distress Calls Were Received from MH370 Passengers or Crew

Investigators have found no evidence of distress calls or messages from the 239 people aboard Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, despite its flight path passing over populated areas with functioning mobile communication networks. While millions of records are still being examined, the complete absence of communication remains a significant mystery.
Potential for Communication Was Available

Radar data indicates that MH370 traversed densely populated regions of peninsular Malaysia. This route would have taken the aircraft over areas covered by terrestrial cellular networks, theoretically allowing passengers or crew to make calls or send messages if they suspected an issue with the flight. In contrast to the September 11, 2001 attacks, where occupants of hijacked planes made numerous calls, no such communications have been identified from MH370.
Hypotheses for the Lack of Communication

One theory suggests the aircraft ascended to approximately 45,000 feet, exceeding its operational ceiling, before descending erratically. It has been speculated that this manoeuvre, potentially followed by depressurisation, could have induced hypoxia among those not actively involved in rerouting the flight, rendering them unable to communicate. Pilots are trained that in a complete loss of oxygen at such altitudes, conscious control is limited to about 15 seconds.
Altitude and Signal Strength Considerations

Another explanation posits that the aircraft's altitude may have been too great for mobile phones to establish a connection with ground-based towers. The altitude reached by MH370 is noted as being higher than typically flown during the shorter-range flights involved in the 9/11 attacks, potentially affecting communication capabilities. While disabling satellite phones is considered relatively simple, simultaneously shutting down the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) and transponders would require more specialised technical knowledge.
Attempts to Contact Phones and Network Explanations

Some relatives of the 153 Chinese passengers on board MH370 have reported hearing ring tones when attempting to call their mobile phones. Telecommunication providers have explained this phenomenon as an audio cue designed to keep callers engaged while the network attempts to locate the target device. However, the absence of confirmed calls or text messages continues to deepen the mystery surrounding the flight's disappearance.

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Why did no one on MH370 call for help?

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