JUNE 20 —The families of passengers on board MH370 note with growing distress that the search for the plane in the extended search area off the West Coast of Australia has yielded nothing till date and there is very little of the search area left to be covered.
What is even more alarming to the families is the often repeated phrase that if no new credible evidence is found, the search will be terminated once the 120,000 square kilometres designated search area is fully searched. Independent experts and analysts (those not part of the official investigation) have repeatedly brought forward their analysis based on the limited information that has been made available in the public domain.
These independent experts have repeatedly raised questions about the preciseness of the official analysis, the end-of-flight scenarios, the search area, and the inconsistencies with other known information, including numerous recent debris sightings and eye witness accounts.
These, to the best of our knowledge have not been responded to satisfactorily or contested with more substantive data or analysis.
This continues to cast doubts on the chosen hypotheses that informs the search decisions, which to date despite the millions spent has yielded zero results. On the other hand pieces of flotsam have been recovered by private citizens, from hugely dispersed locations.
It has been many months since the first piece, the Flaperon, was picked up on Le Reunion Island and since, other pieces have been picked up in Mauritius, Madagascar and along the South Eastern Coast of Africa.
We wish to express our concern that till date, we have not heard of any organised plan to systematically comb these far dispersed localities.
This task is too important to be left to some chance discovery by private citizens such as locals/tourists, who may or may not be aware of potential aircraft debris Precious clues or evidence in the form of debris are at risk of being tampered with by human hands or lost forever.
This lack of initiative begs the question — how sincere are the relevant parties about solving this mystery?
While Malaysia and Australia have invested substantial sums in the effort thus far, we believe a shortage of funds should not be a reason to end the search. Voice370 urges Malaysia in collaboration with Australia and China to:
a. Review all analysis based on Inmarsat data, all simulations and other sources of data in light of the debris finds during 2015-16 off the coast of South / East Africa and recalibrate the search area;
b. Make public the complete Inmarsat raw data, radar data, all analysis including detailed assumptions, and all other facts that have informed the search thus far that is in the possession of any party that is part of the investigation and search, for a wider and public scrutiny, corroboration, and ultimately collaboration to bring the search to a successful conclusion;
c. Prevail upon the French authorities to make public the detailed forensic and biological examination of the flaperon and share its report with findings without any further delay or dilatory moves. We would like Malaysia to also specifically dispel any doubts as to the basis of identification of the flaperon with MH370 in light of doubts that have been raised by leaked excerpts of the French investigation on the flaperon that cast doubts on the its origins, the path it may have taken, the duration it may have been on (or in the seas);
d. Frame and disclose clear plans to search for debris along the coastlines of Indian Ocean Islands and South East Africa based on drift pattern studies without further delay.
e. While we acknowledge it may be impossible to deploy ground search parties across Mauritius, Madagascar and along the South Eastern Coast of Africa. Malaysia, which insisted on leading the search, could do more to prevent the permanent loss of debris and evidence thereof.
For example concerted and widespread information can be disseminated to the local population, especially fishermen, people living in these coastal areas and beach goers to be on a lookout for potential debris. Information on how to identify potential parts can be made available in the local press, printed leaflets, through social media and possibly through a webpage.
Web-based reporting and uploading of photos can be instituted. Local authorities can be enlisted to collect and hold these pieces. Local community support and social organisations can be encouraged to organise search activities. All these do not require significant funding.
It merely needs organisational skills. f. An international appeal for funds could be been made starting with the countries who have citizens on board. For example the world’s second biggest economy, China, which also has the most victims on board has the potential to contribute far more to the search efforts. The Dong Hai Jiu 101 can continue to be deployed in the search, with the ATSB continuing to provide ground support. Appeals could also be made to all member states of ICAO for funding.
g. It is inconceivable that wealthy nations and corporations that immensely benefit from civil aviation and the connectivity that it underscores would be unwilling to fund the continued search for MH370. Our limited understanding is that the cost of a single Boeing 777 (or equivalent commercial jet) far exceeds the amount committed to the search for MH370 thus far. We question the sincerity of Malaysia, the principal country charged with the investigation into MH370 insofar as its efforts to mobilise nations to come forward and fund continuation of the search.
h. That being said we suggest that Boeing be urged to contribute to the search. For instance in the case of AF447, in which very similar underwater searches were carried out, Airbus Industries contributed funds towards the search effort.
Why is Boeing not contributing financially? Is the providing of some independent technical information alone sufficient? Or is it more beneficial for Boeing if this plane were to remain undiscovered?
While the heroic efforts of the search crew braving the seas and their support establishment on shore, managed by the ATSB, have our appreciation and gratitude, the families, whose lives have remained in limbo for over 800 days, giving up on the search is not an option.
The search for the plane and the truth of what happened is vital to look ahead and move on. A decision to end the search is a cruel response to a desperate human crisis. For the general public, the winding down of the search conveys a crude message that financial considerations trump the flyer’s safety and security. The Search Must Go On.
* Voice370 is the official association for families of passengers and crew onboard Flight MH370.
** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
