For a decade, people have wondered what happened to Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 after it disappeared without a trace. Recently, this enigma could be solved, since British researchers have detected a new signal that could indicate the location of the missing plane.
According to Cardiff University, the signal was captured by hydrophones (water microphones) at the time MH370 is presumed to have crashed on March 8, 2014. This signal is quite short, lasting only six seconds. However, more tests will be needed to determine the exact location of the accident site.
On March 8, 2014, flight MH370 took off from Kuala Lumpur with 239 people on board bound for Beijing, but approximately 40 minutes later it disappeared from Malaysian civilian radars.. Since then, extensive searches have been unsuccessful in finding the wreckage of the plane.
However Researchers have analyzed more than 100 hours of hydrophone data obtained after ten historic plane crashes and the disappearance of a submarine, This offers new insights into the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370.
The results, published in ‘Scientific Reports’, suggest the need for a more detailed investigation into the last known location of the aircraft. The study establishes a framework to address future similar incidents, highlighting that violent impacts in the ocean generate distinctive acoustic signatures that can travel long distances and be recorded by hydrophones.
On March 8, 2014, flight MH370 took off from Kuala Lumpur with 239 people on board bound for Beijing, but approximately 40 minutes later it disappeared from Malaysian civilian radars.
Photo:iStock
According to the University portal, Dr. Usama Kadri, professor at the Faculty of Mathematics at Cardiff University, explained: ““Our analysis shows that hydrophones detected clear pressure signals from previous aircraft accidents, even at distances greater than 3,000 km.”
Likewise, he added that the possible point of impact is near the seventh arc, where the last communication between the plane and INMARSAT occurred. Therefore, he commented that more analysis is required to fully understand the detected signals and their relationship with the disappearance of MH370.
For this reason, he suggested that authorities conduct field experiments with controlled explosions or air weapons along the seventh arc, monitoring signals received at surrounding hydroacoustic stations.
Dr. Kadri suggested that authorities conduct experiments by monitoring signals received at surrounding hydroacoustic stations.
Photo:iStock
In addition, Dr. Kadri highlighted that similar exercises were carried out in the search for the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan, found in 2017. These experiments proved to be feasible and could help determine the relevance of the signals to MH370, before undertaking a new exhaustive search.
“The disappearance of MH370 motivated this work, raising questions about the detectability of aircraft accidents in the ocean and the potential use of hydroacoustic technology to assist search and rescue efforts. Although we have not yet found a signal with the necessary certainty to start a new search, by following our recommendations, we could shed light on the location of MH370.”concluded Dr. Kadri.
DANIELA LARRARTE ASAAD
DIGITAL SCOPE EDITORIAL
TIME
