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MH370 search: call for funds to boost hunt for missing Malaysia Airlines flight

IT’S the $200 million question. Should the MH370 search continue for what could years in an effort to find answers to the questions baffling the aviation mystery?

Australia has spent $90 million on the operation to locate the Malaysia Airlines flight.
Australia has spent $90 million on the operation to locate the Malaysia Airlines flight.

IT’S the $200 million question. Should the MH370 search continue for what could be months or even years in an effort to find answers to what is possibly this century’s most baffling mystery?

Is it even taking place in the right spot?

Families, airline chiefs and self-styled investigators say the search must be extended until there is a result, as much for personal closure as the future of the aviation industry.

But as yet, no-one has come forward offering to put up the sort of money required to extend the expensive deep water search currently occurring in the Southern Indian Ocean.

Already Australia has spent $90 million on the operation to locate the Malaysia Airlines flight, which disappeared on March 8, 2014 after taking off from Kuala Lumpur to fly to Beijing.

International laws decreed that because the most likely crash site was in Australian waters, it was the responsibility of our country to coordinate the search.

Australian investigators in Canberra examine a piece of aircraft debris found on Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzania.
Australian investigators in Canberra examine a piece of aircraft debris found on Pemba Island off the coast of Tanzania.

Malaysia matched the amount, and after considerable international pressure China also made a contribution — reported to be in the vicinity of $20 million, including the provision of a search vessel.

US blogger and lawyer Blaine Gibson is of the opinion that all countries who had citizens on board MH370 should provide funds to go on with the search.

A total of 14 nationalities were represented on the flight, on March 8, 2014.

The majority were from China (153) along with 38 from Malaysia, seven from Indonesia, six Australians, five Indians, four French people, and others from the US, Canada, New Zealand, Russia, Taiwan, the Netherlands and two Iranians — travelling on stolen passports from Italy and Austria.

Gibson says at the very least, a reward should be made available to people in African countries who find aircraft debris that’s proven to come from MH370.

“It wouldn’t have to be a big reward, just five or ten dollars, they’ll comb the beaches for that,” says Gibson, who has found ten pieces of aircraft debris in a self-funded search for answers.

“Just getting the notice out there that local people need to be out there looking so they know what to look for.”

International laws decreed that it was Australia’s responsibility to coordinate the search.
International laws decreed that it was Australia’s responsibility to coordinate the search.

One of the main challenges posed by MH370 to experts worldwide is the almost unbelievable lack of evidence.

A series of handshakes between the plane’s engine and satellites are virtually all investigators have had to work with, to formulate an estimated area in which the Boeing 777 came down.

The 120,000 square kilometre area considered 97 per cent likely to contain the missing plane looks like a dot in the vast Southern Indian Ocean.

And now the company contracted to do the search is even suggesting it’s in the wrong place.

Fugro Project Director Paul Kennedy says if the plane glided, it could’ve crashed much further south than the current zone.

Gibson on the other hand thinks they should be looking to the north-west based on his and others’ debris finds.

Warren Truss, who was Federal Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister at the time says MH370 had certainly taught the aviation world some lessons.

“Some of the radar facilities around the world weren’t operational at the time because they were on routine closure,” says Truss.

The relative of one of the crash victims breaks down  Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
The relative of one of the crash victims breaks down Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

“When there are maintenance shutdowns, it’s important that doesn’t happen at the same time.

“The thing that is important is that we do take advantage of the satellites that are now available to better monitor aircraft movement around the world.”

Australian airlines like Qantas and Virgin Australia now track their own aircraft every few minutes to be certain of their whereabouts.

Malaysia Airlines is also vigilant about its planes after the twin disasters in 2014 of MH370 and MH17.

“We (now) do much more than the regulator requires because we have no credit left,” declared outgoing CEO Christoph Mueller in February.

Karla McMaster, Melia Burrows and Jayden Burrows - whose parents Rodney and Mary Burrows died iin the crash, say they want closure.
Karla McMaster, Melia Burrows and Jayden Burrows - whose parents Rodney and Mary Burrows died iin the crash, say they want closure.

Even out of politics, Truss is diplomatic about Malaysia’s role in the aftermath of MH370.

He insists that despite numerous conspiracy theories — including allegations the FBI has evidence pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah was responsible — all the information known about the flight’s disappearance has been made public.

“There are no secrets out there that governments, or agencies or CIAs are withholding from the public,” says Truss.

“It’s been very open. I have no personal information I’m withholding.”

Until his retirement earlier this year Truss made himself available to the families of MH370 passengers, even providing a personal mobile phone number.

In addition the Joint Agency Coordination Centre, headed by Judith Zielke, held regular briefings for next of kin, advising them of any new developments or announcements — ahead of time where possible.

American adventurer Blaine Gibson has given  Malaysian authorities three pieces of debris and personal belongings that he found on Madagascar beaches in June.
American adventurer Blaine Gibson has given Malaysian authorities three pieces of debris and personal belongings that he found on Madagascar beaches in June.

Zielke says she is proud of the contribution made by Australia to the search effort but enormously disappointed the Boeing 777 is yet to be found.

“It is our hope that by locating the aircraft we will be able to provide answers to the mystery of the disappearance of MH370 not only for the loved ones of those on board, but travelling public more broadly,” says Zielke.

“This has been an unprecedented and incredibly complex search effort and Australia is proud to do what it can to assist with its friends in Malaysia by leading the underwater search.”

For Karla McMaster, the eldest daughter of Rod and Mary Burrows, hope is not yet lost.

The mother of one, and sister of Jayden and Melia Burrows, considers it very surreal to imagine they may never know what happened to their beloved parents.

“Everyone deserves to have answers about what happened to their loved ones,” she says.

Despite the assistance of JACC, McMaster’s request to meet with Malaysia’s High Commissioner was unable to be met.

“We are very appreciative for the support and assistance provided by JACC and Australian Transport Safety Bureau and of course the ongoing commitment by the crew on each ship,” McMaster says.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/mh370-search-call-for-funds-to-boost-hunt-for-missing-malaysia-airlines-flight/news-story/a3d0d21675637c82be5ec25093b06895