A fresh quest to locate the Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 airplane has commenced over a decade after it mysteriously disappeared. The Boeing 777 vanished on March 8, 2014, during its journey from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 249 passengers on board, primarily Chinese nationals, along with travelers from Malaysia, Canada, France, and other countries. Despite extensive efforts, very little is known about the aircraft’s disappearance, with satellite data suggesting it likely crashed in the southern Indian Ocean. Only a few small fragments have been found on the east African coast and Indian Ocean islands. Previous large-scale searches yielded no significant results, leaving unanswered questions about the cause of the plane’s downfall.
The recent launch of a new search operation has reignited hopes of unraveling the long-standing mystery surrounding the missing flight. Let’s delve into the latest developments concerning the hunt for the enigmatic plane:
The Malaysian Transport Ministry recently announced that Ocean Infinity, a Texas-based marine robotics company, will resume the deep-sea search for the lost aircraft starting on December 30. The initial search began in March but was temporarily halted due to adverse weather conditions. Under a “no find, no fee” contract with the Malaysian government, Ocean Infinity stands to earn $70 million if substantial wreckage is discovered.
While it remains uncertain if Ocean Infinity possesses new information regarding the plane’s location, the company’s CEO, Oliver Punkett, mentioned advancements in their technology since a previous unsuccessful search in 2018. Punkett stated that their team, in collaboration with experts, has narrowed down the search area to the most probable site. The Malaysian Transport Ministry confirmed that the renewed search would focus on a targeted region in the southern Indian Ocean spanning 15,000 square kilometers.
The upcoming deep-sea search, utilizing a fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles, is scheduled to commence intermittently over a 55-day period. These vehicles will survey the seabed up to a depth of approximately 6,000 meters, employing advanced mapping technology.
The final communication from the aircraft occurred about 40 minutes post-departure from Kuala Lumpur, with Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah bidding “Good night, Malaysian three seven zero” as the plane entered Vietnamese airspace. Subsequently, the plane’s transponder was deactivated, complicating tracking efforts. Military radar data revealed the aircraft deviated from its course, heading back over northern Malaysia, Penang Island, and eventually losing contact as it veered south.
Despite multiple search attempts since the initial disappearance, including a collaborative search by Malaysia, Australia, and China in the southern Indian Ocean, no substantial traces of the aircraft were found. The $183 million search operation, based on satellite data from Inmarsat, concluded in January 2017 without success. While some aircraft debris has been recovered, only three wing fragments have been positively identified as belonging to MH370.
An investigative report released in 2018 suggested deliberate manipulation of the Boeing 777’s controls to divert its course, though the responsible party remains unidentified. Recommendations were made to improve air traffic control procedures following identified errors by the Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City centers. Investigators refrained from drawing definitive conclusions until the wreckage is located.
Various theories have emerged regarding the fate of MH370, ranging from hijacking to power failure, with conspiracy theories also circulating. The absence of distress signals, ransom demands, extreme weather conditions, or technical malfunctions adds complexity to the unresolved mystery.