Malaysia Airlines 777 Flight MH370 - Missing - March 7, 2014

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http://www.ibtimes.com/flight-mh370-search-update-malaysia-will-agree-if-australia-ends-plane-recovery-2370773

Flight MH370 Search Update: Malaysia Will Agree If Australia Ends Plane Recovery Mission This Summer
On 05/18/16 AT 12:37 PM

The Malaysian government won't push to extend the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, or MH370, if Australia decides to stop looking by the summer, according to Deputy Transport Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi.

He told reporters Wednesday: "If we have completed searching in the determined area, we will agree with Australia, which is heading the search, and the advice of experts to cease the mission," Bernama reported.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has long said it plans to give up the hunt for MH370 if, after its roughly 2-year-long sweep of the Indian Ocean, no credible leads are found. As of this week's operational update, more than 105,000 of the 120,000 square kilometers of seafloor in the designated search area have been scanned. Only a few pieces of likely debris from the Boeing 777 have turned up so far, and all of them have been discovered by civilians walking beaches — not experts involved in the $130 million search.
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160518.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
18 May 2016
 
Key developments this week

Winter weather conditions brought rough seas and strong winds to the search area which impacted on operations this week.

Fugro Discovery arrived in Fremantle on 16 May for resupply. The vessel departed for the search area on 17 May.

Fugro Equator arrived back in the search area on 14 May but was unable to undertake search activities due to the weather. Consequently, the vessel has been tasked with bathymetric survey operations which can generally still be carried out in poor weather conditions.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 arrived back in the search area on 16 May. The vessel is on weather standby as current conditions preclude deep-tow search operations.

Underwater search operations

More than 105,000 square kilometres of the seafloor have been searched so far. In the event the aircraft is found and accessible, Australia, Malaysia and the People's Republic of China have agreed to plans for recovery activities, including securing all the evidence necessary for the accident investigation.
 
Weather

Poor weather conditions are forecast for the coming week. Search operations will continue to be disrupted, however bathymetric survey operations will be undertaken as weather permits.

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160525.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
25 May 2016

 
Key developments this week

Winter weather conditions continue to bring rough seas and strong winds to the search area, impacting on operations.

Fugro Discovery is on weather standby north of the search area. Forecast poor weather conditions will likely delay search operations.

Fugro Equator has been unable to undertake deep tow search activities due to poor weather. Consequently, the vessel has been tasked with bathymetric survey operations which can generally still be carried out in such conditions.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 continues to be on weather standby as current conditions preclude deep-tow search operations.
 

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http://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/chester/releases/2016/May/dc073_2016.aspx

Three new items of debris to be examined in relation to the disappearance of MH370

Media Release
DC073/2016
26 May 2016

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester today confirmed reports that three new pieces of debris—two in Mauritius and one in Mozambique—have been found and are of interest in connection to the disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.

“The Malaysian Government is yet to take custody of the items, however as with previous items, Malaysian officials are arranging collection and it is expected the items will be brought to Australia for examination,” Mr Chester said.

“These items of debris are of interest and will be examined by experts.”
 

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http://www.inquisitr.com/3146512/malaysia-airlines-flight-mh370-4th-possible-debris-piece-this-week-discovered-many-more-could-follow-expert-says/

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370: 4th Possible Debris Piece This Week Discovered — Many More Could Follow, Experts Say
May 29, 2016

After three new pieces of debris thought to come from the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 were discovered on beaches in the Western Indian Ocean last week, the week closed out with the revelation that another, fourth fragment from the crashed airliner had also been discovered in the same area.

Possible MH370 debris found in Mozambique https://t.co/HFuVczNe0e

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 27, 2016

 The new discoveries, if all are confirmed as being pieces of the missing Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200, would now bring the total number of debris fragments found to nine, even though what happened to the Malaysia Airlines plane and where, exactly, it ended up remain a complete mystery.

“Luca Kuhn von Burgsdorff contacted the BBC on Thursday to say he found the fragment on the Macaneta Peninsula,” a BBC report stated on Friday. “The authorities have been notified. The piece must be examined by the official investigation team in Australia.”

The Macaneta Peninsula is a narrow strip of land protruding into the Indian ocean off the Mozambique coast.
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160601.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
01 June 2016

 
Key developments this week

Winter weather conditions continue to bring rough seas and strong winds to the search area, impacting on operations.

Fugro Discovery is on weather standby north of the search area. Forecast poor weather conditions will likely delay search operations.

Fugro Equator has been unable to undertake deep tow search activities due to poor weather. Consequently, the vessel has been tasked with bathymetric survey operations which can generally still be carried out in such conditions, however, survey was suspended briefly when the weather became extreme. Surveying has now recommenced.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 continues to be on weather standby as current conditions preclude deep-tow search operations.

Underwater search operations

Recent poor weather conditions have severely impacted search operations. It is now anticipated it may take until around July/August to complete the 120,000 square kilometres, but this will be influenced by weather conditions over the winter months.

Poor conditions have prevented the safe deployment of deep tow search equipment from any of the vessels for the past three weeks. These conditions make it unsafe for crew to perform some activities and to access some areas, such as the back working deck.

In the last week, a peak wave height of 18.2 metres was measured on board the vessel (the vessel itself is 20 metres from the waterline to the top of the mast). While none of the search vessels has sustained damage that would affect its ability to continue the search, the poor weather directly impacts on the crew, their ability to work effectively, and to get adequate rest. The doctors on board each vessel have been actively monitoring the health and wellbeing of all personnel.
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160608.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
08 June 2016

 
Key developments this week

Winter weather conditions continued to bring rough seas and strong winds to the search area, severely impacting search operations.

Fugro Discovery was on weather standby until Monday 6 June when it successfully deployed its towfish and is now undertaking search operations for the first time in four weeks.

Fugro Equator is undertaking bathymetric survey operations as conditions permit.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 continues to be on weather standby north of the search area.

Underwater search operations

Recent poor weather conditions have severely impacted search operations; the last four weeks saw no search operations undertaken. It is now anticipated it may take until around August to complete the 120,000 square kilometres, but this will be influenced by weather conditions over the coming months, which may worsen.
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160615.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
15 June 2016

 
Key developments this week

Winter weather conditions continued to bring rough seas and strong winds to the search area, severely impacting search operations.

Fugro Discovery is conducting underwater search operations as weather permits.

Fugro Equator departed for Fremantle on 11 June, and arrived in port today to conduct resupply. It is anticipated the vessel will depart for the return voyage to the search area tomorrow.

Weather conditions allowed the Dong Hai Jiu 101 to recommence underwater search operations on 13 June.

Discovery of further debris

Further debris, possibly aircraft related, has been found in Madagascar off the east coast of Africa and Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia. Arrangements are being made for this debris to be examined to establish if it is related to MH370.

Underwater search operations

Recent poor weather conditions have severely impacted search operations. It is now anticipated it may take until around August to complete the 120,000 square kilometres, but this will be influenced by weather conditions over the coming months, which may worsen.
 

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http://www.cbsnews.com/news/malaysia-airlines-flight-370-personal-items-madagascar-beach-blaine-gibson/

June 20, 2016, 11:04 AM
Personal items found on beach possibly from MH370

An Australian support group for families of air crash victims has appealed for help in trying to figure out whether a number of personal items found on a Madagascan beach are from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

American lawyer and adventurer Blaine Gibson, whose self-funded search and research mission has yielded several suspected pieces of the Boeing 777 already, found the roughly 20 objects -- including bags and clothing -- on the same beach.

He told the BBC that he found the items earlier in June, and admits there is nothing obvious about them that links them to the flight believed to have plunged into the Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board.
 

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http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/06/20/officials-meet-discuss-mh370-search

20 Jun 2016 - 6:14pm
Officials meet to discuss MH370 search

Senior aviation officials from Australia, Malaysia and China are meeting in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the future of the search for MH370.

Australia's transport minister Darren Chester said the tripartite meeting of officials on Monday and Tuesday would pave the way for a final ministerial-level meeting after the July 2 federal election.

The three countries previously agreed that in the absence of credible new information, the search would be wound up once the 120,000 square kilometre zone in the southern Indian Ocean was scoured.

The search for the Boeing 777 is in its final phase, with 15,000sq km yet to be covered, and is being delayed by winter weather.

Earlier this month, the Australian government's Joint Agency Coordination Centre said crew on one of the vessels had measured an 18-metre wave and rough seas were hindering their ability to work effectively.

"We now expect the search will conclude in the next eight weeks," Mr Chester said.

"I remain hopeful of a successful outcome."
 

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http://www.cbsnews.com/news/malaysia-airlines-flight-370-personal-items-madagascar-beach-blaine-gibson/

June 20, 2016, 11:04 AM
Personal items found on beach possibly from MH370

An Australian support group for families of air crash victims has appealed for help in trying to figure out whether a number of personal items found on a Madagascan beach are from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

American lawyer and adventurer Blaine Gibson, whose self-funded search and research mission has yielded several suspected pieces of the Boeing 777 already, found the roughly 20 objects -- including bags and clothing -- on the same beach.

He told the BBC that he found the items earlier in June, and admits there is nothing obvious about them that links them to the flight believed to have plunged into the Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board.

"They may have just fallen off a ship," Gibson conceded to the BBC. "Still, I found them on the same 18 kilometer (11-mile) stretch of beach where I found suspected aircraft parts of the Malaysia Airlines jet. So, it's important that they are investigated properly."
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160622.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
22 June 2016
 
Key developments this week

A prolonged period of extreme winter weather conditions has brought rough seas and strong winds to the search area in recent weeks, severely impacting search operations.

Fugro Discovery is conducting underwater search operations, as weather and sea conditions permit. The vessel sustained some damage to a shaft bearing and the tow cable, causing delays in search operations as repairs are being made.

Fugro Equator arrived at the search area on 21 June, after conducting resupply in Fremantle. The vessel is tasked to conduct underwater search operations, as the weather and sea conditions allow.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 is currently in transit to Fremantle for scheduled resupply.

Debris assessment

On 9 June 2016, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) was advised of possible aircraft debris located on Kangaroo Island, South Australia. The ATSB recovered the part, and examined it, in conjunction with Malaysian authorities and the aircraft manufacturer, Boeing. Information received from the manufacturer indicates that the item is not consistent with the manufacturing specifications of a Boeing commercial aircraft. As such, the ATSB has assessed that the item is not related to the safety investigation or the search for MH370.

Underwater search operations

Recent poor weather conditions have severely impacted search operations. It is now anticipated it may take until around August to complete the 120,000 square kilometres, but this will be influenced by weather conditions over the coming months.

More than 105,000 square kilometres of the seafloor have been searched so far. In the event the aircraft is found and accessible, Australia, Malaysia and the People's Republic of China have agreed to plans for recovery activities, including securing all the evidence necessary for the accident investigation.

Officials from Malaysia, Australia and the People's Republic of China met on 20–21 June 2016 to discuss a range of matters related to the underwater search.
 

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http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/tanzania-debris-to-be-checked-for-mh370-link-australian-officials-say

Tanzania debris to be checked for MH370 link, Australian officials say
Friday June 24, 201602:27 PM GMT+8

SYDNEY, June 24 — A piece of aircraft debris found off the coast of Tanzania will be examined to see whether it could be from missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, Australian officials said today.

Australia’s Transport Minister Darren Chester gave no description+ of the fragment found on Pemba Island, the latest in a string of pieces being examined for links to the aircraft lost more than two years ago with 239 people onboard.

“The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is seeking further information on the debris to ascertain whether it was from the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, MH370,” Chester said in a statement.

The bureau said Malaysian officials were in contact with Tanzanian authorities to arrange for the piece to be examined.
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160629.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
29 June 2016

 
Key developments this week

Fugro Discovery is en route to Fremantle to conduct scheduled resupply and maintenance before returning to the search.

Fugro Equator continues to conduct underwater search operations, as the weather and sea conditions allow.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 arrived in Fremantle on 22 June for scheduled resupply, and departed for the search area on 26 June.  Two days into the voyage a crew member sustained an injury. Although not life-threatening, the decision has been made to return to port to ensure the best possible medical attention can be provided.

Underwater search operations

Recent poor weather conditions have severely impacted search operations.  It is now anticipated it may take until around August to complete the 120,000 square kilometres, but this will be influenced by weather conditions over the coming months.
 

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http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-malaysia-airlines-mh-idUKKCN0ZH47N

World  |  Fri Jul 1, 2016 10:03am BST
Malaysia, China, Australia to discuss next step in search for Flight MH370

Government ministers from Malaysia, Australia and China will meet in Kuala Lumpur on July 19 to discuss the future of the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Malaysian state news agency Bernama reported on Friday.

Flight MH370, carrying 239 passengers and crew, disappeared on March 8, 2014 enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. A wing part, known as a flaperon, washed up on the French island of Reunion in July 2015.

An underwater search operation for the aircraft, which disappeared two years ago, is underway, spanning 120,000 square kilometres of the southern Indian Ocean.

According to Bernama, Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said the meeting would focus what to do once the search of the designated area is completed.
 
"We (Australia, China and Malaysia) will not call off the search. We are committed to completing the 120,000 sq km search - so far, we have completed 107,000 sq km.

"We will make an announcement on the way forward," Liow was quoted as saying.
 

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http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/missing-jet/mh370-ocean-search-severely-impacted-poor-weather-atsb-warns-n604441

MH370 Ocean Search 'Severely Impacted' By Poor Weather, ATSB Warns
Jul 6 2016, 5:43 am ET

Poor weather in the southern Indian Ocean has delayed the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 for almost two months, authorities warned Wednesday.

Bad conditions in the region are making it impossible to use the robot submersible needed to explore hidden canyons on the sea bed, Australia's Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) said in an update.

More than 90 per cent of the 46,000-square mile search zone — an underwater area the size of Pennsylvania — has been covered but with no sign of the Boeing 777, which vanished on March 8, 2014. It had 239 people on board.

The countries involved in the operation — China, Australia and Malaysia — have agreed to end the effort if nothing is found in the current search area or if no credible new information leads them to a specific location for the wreckage.

The search was due to be completed in July or August, but the ATSB warned Wednesday that this could slide, saying only that the delay could take the completion date "well beyond the [southern hemisphere] winter months."
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160706.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
06 July 2016

 
Key developments this week

Fugro Equator continues to conduct underwater search operations as weather and sea conditions allow.

Fugro Discovery resupplied in Fremantle and was en route to the search area, however an engineering issue has required the vessel to return to port for maintenance.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 is en route to the search area, after returning an injured crew member to Fremantle. The vessel is expected to arrive in the search area early on 6 July.

Underwater search operations

Ongoing poor weather conditions have severely impacted search operations and resulted in delays to search operations of around 6–8 weeks. Since the onset of poor conditions associated with winter weather, progress has slowed with only a minimal area searched during this time. Marginal weather conditions still allow the use of deep tow equipment provided conditions are such that the equipment can be safely deployed and recovered, however, the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) which is used to survey some of the most difficult portions of the search area such as the underwater canyon areas that cannot be searched effectively using the deep tow sonar, can only be launched in the calmer conditions of spring and summer.

In the event of further poor weather, or delays as a result of unforeseeable problems such as equipment failure or crew incapacity, searching the entire 120,000 square kilometre search area may continue well beyond the winter months.
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160713.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
13 July 2016

 
Key developments this week

Fugro Discovery has undergone maintenance in Fremantle and is en route to the search area.

Fugro Equator is conducting underwater search operations and bathymetry as weather and sea conditions allow.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 is currently on weather stand by and will conduct underwater search operations as weather and sea conditions allow.

Underwater search operations

Ongoing poor weather conditions have severely impacted search operations and resulted in delays to search operations of around 6–8 weeks. Since the onset of poor conditions associated with winter weather, progress has slowed with only a minimal area searched during this time. Marginal weather conditions still allow the use of deep tow equipment provided conditions are such that the equipment can be safely deployed and recovered, however, the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) which is used to survey some of the most difficult portions of the search area such as the underwater canyon areas that cannot be searched effectively using the deep tow sonar, can only be launched in the calmer conditions of spring and summer.

In the event of further poor weather, or delays as a result of unforeseeable problems such as equipment failure or crew incapacity, searching the entire 120,000 square kilometre search area may continue well beyond the winter months.
 

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http://jacc.gov.au/families/operational_reports/opsearch-update-20160720.aspx

JACC
MH370 Operational Search Update—
20 July 2016

 
Key developments this week

Fugro Discovery continues operations in the search area.

Fugro Equator is conducting underwater search operations and bathymetry as weather and sea conditions allow and is expected to depart the search area late tonight.

Dong Hai Jiu 101 is currently on weather stand by and will conduct underwater search operations as weather and sea conditions allow.

A piece of aircraft debris found on Pemba Island, just off the coast of Tanzania, in late June has been transported to Australia for examination. Malaysia and Australia have worked with Tanzanian officials to assume responsibility for the item, believed to be an outboard wing flap. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is working with Malaysian investigators to ascertain whether it is from a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777.

 
Weather

Weather conditions are forecast to improve over the coming days, which should allow search activities to recommence.

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http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/07/22/search-for-missing-flight-370-will-be-suspended-possibly-forever.html

Search for missing Flight 370 will be suspended, possibly forever
Published July 22, 2016

The hunt for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will be suspended once the current search area in the Indian Ocean has been completely scoured, the ministers of the three countries conducting the operation announced Friday, possibly ending all hopes of solving aviation's greatest mystery.

"In the absence of new evidence, Malaysia, Australia and China have collectively decided to suspend the search upon completion of the 46,300-square-mile search area," Malaysian Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai said after a meeting with his Australiana and Chinese counterparts.

He said suspension of the search does not mean an end to it.

"Should credible new information emerge which can be used to identify the specific location of the aircraft, consideration will be given in determining next steps," he said, reading from a joint statement. But it was clear that the searchers have given up hopes of finding the jetliner with less than 3,900 square miles left to be searched.

In their statement, the ministers acknowledged that "the likelihood of finding the aircraft is fading."

As Liow and the other two ministers were addressing the news conference, representatives of the passengers' families stood outside the building holding placards. "Find the plane, ease our pain," read one.