Flight MH370 vanished over a decade ago - but we may have the key to unlocking the mystery
Thanks to artificial intelligence and other groundbreaking technological advancements, we may be closer to answering the question: what happened to flight MH370?
Just over a decade after the disappearance of flight MH370, cutting-edge technology could finally solve one of aviation’s greatest mysteries, as Malaysia prepares for a new search for the missing airplane.
The Malaysia Airlines flight, which was travelling from the Malaysian capital city, Kuala Lumpur, to the Chinese capital, Beijing, disappeared on March 8, 2014, vanishing from radar just under 40 minutes after taking off.
How many MH370 search efforts have there been?
A nearly three-year, multinational search effort, which chiefly focused on the southern Indian Ocean and reportedly cost in excess of $150 million, failed to locate the plane. The search, which involved the governments of Malaysia, Australia and China, was called off in 2017.
In 2018, the American marine robotics company Ocean Infinity embarked on a no-find-no-fee search, also in the southern Indian Ocean, which proved unsuccessful.
Malaysia confirms new Ocean Infinity search
At the end of last year, the Malaysian government announced that it has commissioned Ocean Infinity to have another go at seeking out the Boeing 777, which was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew members.
Speaking to reporters, Malaysian transport minister Anthony Loke said Ocean Infinity was preparing to train its sights on a new, unidentified search area measuring around 6,000 square miles in size.
Loke added that the Texas-based company, which has been hired on an 18-month contract, stands to be paid $70 million if it succeeds in finding the aircraft. As in 2018, Ocean Infinity won’t receive a fee from Malaysia if it concludes the search empty-handed.
“Our responsibility and obligation and commitment is to the next of kin,” Loke told reporters, according to Reuters. “We hope this time will be positive, that the wreckage will be found and give closure to the families.”
What new technology could find MH370?
Nearly 11 years on from MH370’s disappearance, there is hope that advances in technology can help investigators to finally solve the mystery.
As is explained in a report this week in the Economic Times, artificial intelligence (AI) now has a key role to play in searching for the plane. For example, AI algorithms can help to more accurately forecast the craft’s position, analyzing data gathered on factors such as satellite transmissions and ocean currents.
The media outlet adds that quantum computing can also carry out complex calculations that contribute to pinpointing a potential wreckage site, by studying the patterns of ocean currents.
What’s more, the Economic Times notes, AI-powered underwater drones can assist investigators in examining possible crash sites. The drones are able to access deep-sea spots that were previously out of reach, and can generate high-resolution maps of the ocean floor.
“Credible” data leads Ocean Infinity to take up search once more
In his press conference on 20 December, Loke spoke of his optimism that Ocean Infinity’s fresh search may at last lead to a breakthrough, explaining that the firm’s renewed attempt was based on “credible” research.
“The data has all been presented,” he said, per News Wire. “Our team has gone through it and they felt that it is credible. It has been based on the research of many other experts. Ocean Infinity took into consideration all the findings from the various researchers.”
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