Releasing MH370 files could ‘damage relations’ with Malaysia

Australian officials refuse to release documents on flight MH370 because it ‘could damage international ties’.

Three years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared, Australian officials refuse to ­release related documents ­because this could damage international ties, apparently with countries including Malaysia.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has rejected The Australian’s Freedom of Information request for copies of statements from a panel of international experts that it says supports its interpretation of satellite tracking data. The documents are central to the ATSB’s defence of its failed effort to find the plane.

Colin McNamara, the ATSB’s general manager, strategic capability, said disclosure of the documents “would, or could reason­ably be expected to, cause damage to the international relations of the commonwealth”.

While the ATSB says the documents support its “ghost flight” scenario of “unresponsive” pilots, this theory is increasingly challenged by aviation professionals who think a rogue pilot hijacked the aircraft and flew it to the end. Many commercial pilots and crash investigators say the search was doomed because evidence suggests captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah ditched the plane outside the ATSB’s search zone.

As revealed last year, other FOI documents show the ATSB initially claimed it had “consensus” from the panel for its theory that satellite data showed the plane went down un­piloted in a rapid dive, but deleted that line from its website when its investigators warned not all panel members had at that stage agreed.

ATSB chief commissioner Greg Hood and the head of the search strategy, Peter Foley, refused to answer questions from The Austr alian ahead of the third anniversary, but a spokesman said “the search for MH370 has always been based on the available evidence at the time”.

The Boeing 777 vanished on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. It ­diverted back over Malaysia with its radar transponder turned off and no radio communication, then turned south towards the southern Indian Ocean.

Relatives of the half-dozen Australians among the 239 passengers and crew who perished will hold a commemorative service in a Brisbane church today.

Last weekend in Kuala Lumpur, the group representing the families launched an appeal for $US15 million ($19.7m) to continue the now-abandoned search.

Danica Weeks, who lost her husband Paul on MH370, attended the events in Malaysia. Yesterday she called on Australia to pressure Malaysia to continue the search.

While some victims’ relatives have settled civil compensation claims, international plain­tiff lawyers say Malaysia Airlines is resisting. The airline denies this.

Ms Weeks said her claim was outstanding.