ATSB did not miss MH370 debris in search zone, review finds

A review of images collected during the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight has concluded that the safety bureau did not fail to spot the Boeing 777.

The MH370 search area including hot spots identified by Richard Godfrey. Picture: Ocean Infinity

A review of data from the original search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 has concluded that it’s highly unlikely that aircraft debris was missed by the massive operation.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released the results of a data review by Geoscience Australia following new analysis by British aerospace engineer Richard Godfrey.

Mr Godfrey claimed he knew the precise location of the missing Boeing 777 after analysing hundreds of radio signals with the aid of technology known as weak signal propagation reporter (WSPR).

His proposed crash location was within an area of the southern Indian Ocean that formed part of the zone scoured in the original search for MH370 undertaken between October 2014 and January 2017.

The MH370 search site and area identified by British engineer Richard Godfrey as the aircraft's point of impact. Picture: ATSB

Despite some scepticism about the accuracy of Mr Godfrey’s theory, the ATSB requested Geoscience Australia re-examine high resolution sonar imagery collected during that search.

Over the past two months, imagery from an area spanning 4900 square kilometres was reviewed, and 11 objects were identified that had not been previously analysed.

Eight of those were assessed as most likely geological features, and while three were identified as not naturally occurring, none were considered to be from an aircraft.

ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said the report therefore concluded it was “highly unlikely there was an aircraft debris field within the area reviewed”.

“The ATSB concluded its formal involvement the search for MH370 in 2017, but we acknowledge the importance of locating the aircraft to provide answers and closure to the families of those who lost loved ones and in the interests of aviation safety,” said Mr Mitchell.

“Can I thank Geoscience Australia for their work in applying their expertise and knowledge in reviewing the original search data.”

Geoscience Australia CEO Dr James Johnson said the imagery reviewed was of a very high resolution.

“This data allowed us to detect objects as small as 30cm by 30cm. If the aircraft was within the area we have reviewed, the sonar data would have shown a scatter field of highly reflective debris,” Dr Johnson said.  

“I want to thank my team for the skill and heart they brought to this work and the ATSB for their leadership and partnership throughout this process.” 

The Malaysia Airlines flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing disappeared on March 8, 2014 with 239 people on board, including six Australians.

A long investigation led by the Malaysian Government failed to offer any explanation for the airliner’s disappearance which confounded experts worldwide.

Working with a range of organisations throughout the world, the ATSB established a proposed path for the Boeing 777 based on satellite “handshakes” with the plane.

That data was then used to determine a possible crash site for the aircraft in the southern Indian Ocean.

Around 120,000 square kilometres of seabed was searched by vessels towing sonar vehicles to capture every inch of the sea floor.

Another search has been proposed by US technology company Ocean Infinity next year, on a no find, no fee basis but the Malaysian Government is yet to respond to the offer.

Ocean Infinity is developing a fleet of robotic ships considered ideal for the search, because they will not have to return to land every month of so to be resupplied.