‘One of the great mysteries’: New search for missing flight MH370 to begin
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There’s fresh hope to solve one of the world’s greatest aviation mysteries.
Malaysia has agreed to resume the search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, more than 10 years after it vanished.
Aviation expert from Monash University, Professor Greg Bamber, says it’s good news for all stakeholders.
“We want to see this great mystery solved, it’s an aviation equivalent if you like to the Titanic going down, but that’s not a mystery. We do know what happened to the Titanic and we’ve found it.”
US-based marine exploration firm Ocean Infinity conducted a three-month search for the plane in 2018.
They have agreed to try again on a “no find, no fee” basis – which will require the company to find substantive wreckage to get paid a fee of $112 million Australian dollars (US$ 70 million).
The technology company will be searching a new area around 15,000 square kilometres in the southern Indian Ocean.
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke says the final terms of the agreement will be finalised by early 2025.
“The proposed new search area identified by Ocean Infinity is based on the latest information and data analysis conducted by experts and researchers.”
The Boeing 777 plane vanished from the radar screens on March 8, 2014.
It was carrying 239 people, including seven Australians, on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Satellite data showed the plane deviated from its flight path to head over the southern Indian Ocean, where it is believed to have crashed.
A multinational search – involving China, Malaysia and Australia – covered 120,000 square kilometres but failed to turn up any clues.
The two-year search ended in 2017 and cost $240 million Australian dollars ($150 million US dollars).
(Sounds from first search in 2014)
Some debris, believed to be from the aircraft, did wash ashore on the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands indicating that the plane is there to be found.
Professor Bamber says he is optimistic about the renewed search efforts.
“In this specific site, it should be possible to find the plane, if it’s still there. The technology has advanced greatly, and there should be big chunks of the aircraft still there on the seafloor.”
Multiple theories have circulated since 2014 about what might’ve happened to MH370.
But Professor Bamber says until it is found, they can’t be confirmed.
“The key thing is to find the black box of course. Because that will contain the details of the last moments of the plane and that will help to unravel the mystery.”
The families of those on board the plane say they welcome the renewed search.
In a statement, they say any barriers to getting the search started should be promptly resolved.
Energy minister Chris Bowen says the work that Australian authorities have done previously will be shared.
“We haven’t been asked for any assistance, but of course Australian authorities have done a substantial amount of work and that information will be made available to the Malaysian government. We welcome these steps if it provides any information at all that will be of comfort to the families and will solve one of the great mysteries.”
The search is expected to take place between January and April (2025).
