MH370, On-again, off-again search

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, focusing on the recent suspension of search efforts, the technologies involved, and various hypotheses regarding the aircraft's fate. Participants explore the implications of the search's challenges, the potential for finding wreckage, and the role of satellite technology in tracking aircraft.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the latest search for MH370 has been suspended due to seasonal conditions, despite previous approvals for renewed efforts.
  • There are differing views on the likelihood of finding wreckage, with some expressing skepticism about the search's effectiveness given the ocean depth and the aircraft's presumed break-up.
  • One participant suggests that the aircraft likely descended onto the ocean rather than diving, proposing that the bulk of the aircraft remains intact in one location.
  • Another participant mentions the successful discovery of other wrecks during previous searches, arguing that the technology used could potentially locate MH370 if it is within the search area.
  • There is a suggestion that satellite technology could be utilized for monitoring and tracking, although the necessity of visual telescopes is questioned.
  • Discussion arises regarding the communication systems of leased versus non-leased engines, with some participants clarifying that data from engines is typically transmitted independently of the aircraft systems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions on the effectiveness of the search efforts and the likelihood of finding MH370. There is no consensus on the best approach to monitoring or tracking aircraft, nor on the implications of engine data transmission.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight uncertainties regarding the conditions under which the search is conducted, the assumptions about the aircraft's break-up, and the technical capabilities of the systems employed. There are also unresolved questions about the specifics of engine data transmission.

Astronuc
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I was watching a video about a renewed search for the remains of MH370. It apparently started in February 2025, but is now apparently suspended.

Search for Malaysia's long missing MH370 suspended
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/malaysia-airlines-flight-370-crash.742581/post-5914547

The latest search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has been suspended by maritime exploration firm Ocean Infinity as it is "not the season", Kuala Lumpur's transport minister said. The plane went missing more then a decade ago.

Back in March 2025 -
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s government has given final approval for a Texas-based marine robotics company to renew the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean more than a decade ago.
https://apnews.com/article/malaysia-mh370-search-plane-b15ee5207d387b21ac7bec1fa54e0c85
https://theconversation.com/the-sea...obotics-expert-explains-whats-involved-252732

The video, which covers some technologies used to define the search regions, and some mention of Ocean Infinity's capabilities. The narrator is MenTour Pilot (Petter Hörnfeldt).



The use of SATCOM and the anomalies caused by aircraft flying through the atmosphere is interesting.
 
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The findings at East African coastlines suggest that the aircraft broke apart, likely while diving into the ocean. I used to think of such a search as a search on land because I better imagine it. So how likely is it that you find some parts of an aircraft somewhere in the USA, or even anywhere in NM? And now add a couple of kilometers of water depth. I consider this a fruitless approach and would be really surprised if they could find anything.
 
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fresh_42 said:
The findings at East African coastlines suggest that the aircraft broke apart, likely while diving into the ocean.
I don't think it was a dive into the ocean, so much as a descent onto the ocean. That would explain why it was control surfaces that broke away, rather than internal parts from a debris field. I expect the engines were torn off, and sank, and that the bulk of the aircraft is in one place, with seats and cargo remaining within the fractured fuselage.

fresh_42 said:
I consider this a fruitless approach and would be really surprised if they could find anything.
It is easy to give up, if you don't know what to look for, or the capabilities of the instrumentation. If MH370 is in the search area, I would expect it to be found.

The wrecks of two small ships were found during the earlier search for MH370. The wrecks of two trawlers sunk in the late 20th century were also discovered.
That demonstrates the range and resolution of the systems employed.
https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/learn/news-stories/19th-century-shipwrecks-found-during-search-mh370
 
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Maybe somebody who has a lot of satellites in the sky pre-armed with surface-facing telescopes could start some kind monitoring and tracking system.

*edit: Not sure if telescopes for visual would even be necessary until there's a problem, maybe some other kind of sensing or signal analysis could work to detect problems?
 
Pythagorean said:
Maybe somebody who has a lot of satellites in the sky pre-armed with surface-facing telescopes could start some kind monitoring and tracking system.
I think you will find that the leased engines now have GPS location and a satellite reporting system to the owner/manufacturer and insurer. The engine reporting communications will be independent of the aircraft systems.
 
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Baluncore said:
I think you will find that the leased engines now have GPS location and a satellite reporting system to the owner/manufacturer and insurer. The engine reporting communications will be independent of the aircraft systems.
Hmm, I'm not sure of the context here. Was MH370's engine not leased?
*I see. It was not. So I guess, what about non-leased engines then?
 
Pythagorean said:
Hmm, I'm not sure of the context here. Was MH370's engine not leased?
*I see. It was not. So I guess, what about non-leased engines then?
I have no idea how to interpret your post.

The majority of jet engines are now leased, but they will all call home to log data. That data should now include the GPS location.

MH370 was powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 892 engines. Data from these engines was transmitted to the Rolls-Royce monitoring centre in the UK before the plane disappeared. I believe that was done as short data packets, via Inmarsat, geostationary over the Indian Ocean.

It should be more secure if the engines use their own independent power and satellite links, not the aircraft's communication systems.
 
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