Flight MH370 : Plane detects debris in new search zone

A plane has spotted objects in the latest search area to be singled out by those looking for missing Malaysian jetliner MH370. But Australian authorities says the items have not yet been identified.

The operation has shifted focus after new radar details suggested the jet flew faster and therefore used more fuel so could not have gone as far south as previously thought.

A total of ten planes were tasked by AMSA in today’s search and all have now departed the search area. A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P3 Orion reported sighting a number of objects white or light in color and a fishing buoy. A Royal Australian Air Force P3 Orion relocated the objects detected by the RNZAF Orion and reported it had seen two blue/grey rectangular objects floating in the ocean. A second RAAF P3 Orion spotted various objects of various colors in a separate part of the search area about 546 kilometers away.

The objects cannot be verified or discounted as being from MH370 until they are relocated and recovered by ships. AMSA said it has tasked Chinese Maritime Administration patrol ship, Haixun 01, which is in the search area and will be in a position to relocate the objects on Saturday.

There are now six vessels relocating to the new search area including HMAS Success, expected to arrive in the search area late tomorrow night, as well as five Chinese ships. A U.S.-towed pinger locator and Bluefin-21 Autonomous Underwater Vehicle have arrived in Perth to assist with location and recovery of the black box. Water depths in the search area range from 2,000-4,000 meters.

AMSA reported weather conditions in the area are expected to be reasonable for searching on Saturday.

Agencies/Canadajournal