The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 continues to be one of the biggest mysteries of 2014, and has left many not just grieving the loss of their loved ones but wondering what happened in the last minutes of their lives. Was something sinister–like terrorism–at play? A new theory based on the belief that the plane was flying on autopilot before and after the crash occurred won’t bring these passengers and crew back, but it might help survivors find some semblance of closure in light of the horrific tragedy.

According to a report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, “The final stages of the unresponsive crew/hypoxia event type appeared to best fit the available evidence for the final period of MH370’s flight when it was heading in a generally southerly direction.”

This theory gives all other theories–including hijacking as a result of terrorist activity–far less credibility.

If Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 was truly on autopilot until it ran out of fuel, this means there was likely no deliberate attempt to crash or redirect the plane, and the fact that the pilots were no longer communicating despite being on autopilot could indicate that the crew was somehow incapacitated. The loss of cabin pressure would have rendered everyone on board incapacitated.

Word of this theory about the missing flight has spread to news agencies around the world.

Australian authorities: #MH370 lost oxygen while on autopilot http://t.co/oXoclNPqzl pic.twitter.com/gqxhUgSZDj

— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) June 27, 2014

Flight #MH370 likely on autopilot when it crashed into Indian Ocean, Australian officials say http://t.co/flY8L5yxY6 pic.twitter.com/LA7xykwcF5

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) June 26, 2014

Not only might this theory about Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 alleviate the horror of terrorism in survivor’s minds, they might also find some comfort in knowing their loved ones were likely already deceased when the plane crashed into the ocean.

Yes, these means of comfort are small ones in comparison to what these people have experienced, but hopefully they will nudge them toward the road of recovery–putting the shattered pieces of their lives back together again.

Image via YouTube