Malaysia is set to restart the search for the missing MH370 plane based on what it describes as a ‘credible’ proposal.
The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 on March 8, 2014, has remained one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.
The aircraft departed from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bound for Beijing, China, carrying 239 individuals, including passengers and crew members.
Not long after takeoff, radar systems lost track of the plane, which has not been located since.
While several debris pieces believed to belong to MH370 have been discovered since 2014, official investigations by Australia and Malaysia have not determined the fate of the aircraft, leading some experts to form independent theories.
The official report speculated that the plane had disabled its electronic signal communications and made a U-turn less than an hour into its journey before crashing into the sea.
Malaysia is now gearing up to relaunch the search, focusing on a ‘credible’ proposal centered in the southern Indian Ocean.
On November 5, Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that Malaysia is in advanced negotiations with marine company Ocean Infinity to resume the search off Western Australia’s coast.
“Based on the latest information and analysis from experts and researchers, Ocean Infinity’s search proposal is credible and can be considered by the Malaysian government as the flight’s official registrar,” Loke stated.
“The terms and costs requested are in the same draft agreement currently being negotiated between the government and Ocean Infinity. Should it be finalised, cabinet approval will be required, and I will make a public announcement.”
Earlier this year, the Malaysian government indicated it might resume the search for MH370, but only if provided with ‘credible evidence’ of the plane’s whereabouts.
Various individuals are involved in the effort to locate the plane, including retired British aerospace engineer Richard Godfrey. He is employing cutting-edge technology to support his search efforts.
The ‘Weak Signal Propagation Reporter’ (WSPR) system is used to test radio frequency strength, with transmitters worldwide sending thousands of low power radio signals every few minutes.
Godfrey aims to use these signals to locate MH370, having identified 130 disruptions in the WSPR signals across the Southern Indian Ocean.