In a significant development, Malaysia has reopened the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared 10 years ago with 239 people on board. The announcement was made by Malaysia’s Transport Minister on Friday, marking a renewed effort to solve one of the most enduring mysteries in aviation history.
The Mystery of MH370’s Disappearance
Flight MH370, a Boeing 777, vanished on March 8, 2014, while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. The last transmission from the plane occurred about 40 minutes after takeoff when Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah signed off with “Good night, Malaysian three seven zero” as the plane entered Vietnamese airspace. Shortly afterward, its transponder was turned off, making it difficult to track the aircraft.
Military radar showed the plane deviating from its flight path, flying back over northern Malaysia and Penang island before heading out into the Andaman Sea towards Indonesia. It then made a sharp turn south, after which all contact was lost.
Search Efforts and Findings
In the years following the disappearance, several extensive search operations were launched. Malaysia, Australia, and China spearheaded an underwater search of 120,000 square kilometers in the southern Indian Ocean, based on data from automatic connections between an Inmarsat satellite and the plane. The search, which cost approximately A$200 million, was called off in January 2017 after two years of fruitless efforts.
In 2018, Malaysia entered into a “no-cure, no-fee” agreement with U.S. exploration firm Ocean Infinity to conduct a three-month search in a new area north of the original target. However, this search also ended in failure in May 2018.
Despite the lack of direct evidence, more than 30 pieces of suspected aircraft debris have been found along the coast of Africa and on islands in the Indian Ocean. Of these, three wing fragments were confirmed to be from MH370. The discovery of these fragments was used in drift pattern analysis in hopes of narrowing down the plane’s final location.
Investigation Report and Theories
A comprehensive investigation report released in July 2018 suggested that the plane’s controls were likely deliberately manipulated to take it off course, though the report could not pinpoint who was responsible. It also pointed out errors made by air traffic control in Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City, leading to recommendations for improved procedures.
The disappearance of MH370 has given rise to numerous conspiracy theories, including claims of mechanical failure, a remote-controlled crash, and even more outlandish explanations like alien abduction or a Russian plot. While some aviation experts have suggested that the plane was deliberately diverted by an experienced pilot, investigators have found no evidence of suspicious behavior in the captain or co-pilot’s background, financial affairs, or mental health.
Resumption of Search
The Malaysian government has agreed to resume the search following a new proposal from Ocean Infinity, which will receive a $70 million payment if substantial wreckage is found. The new search will expand the previous search area by 15,000 square kilometers and is set to last for 18 months. The best time for the search is expected to be between January and April.
The resumption of the search is a hopeful step for the families of those on board, who have been waiting for answers for a decade. While the investigation remains ongoing, the search for Flight MH370 continues to captivate the world, as the mystery of its disappearance remains unsolved.
Sources By Agencies
