[Peetwo]

The ATSB has finally published the long awaited FINAL Report.

The full 440 page PDF is here 

P2 and a link for the CSIRO - The search for MH370 and ocean surface drift – Part IV

3 Conclusion

We stand by our earlier conclusion that the surface search had a fairly high chance of detecting a debris field if the impact had been near the segments of the 7th arc postulated at the time of those searches, at least for the section near Broken Ridge that was searched from 28 March to 1 April. It is conceivable that some hypothetical debris fields could have escaped detection by not dispersing very much, and remaining by chance outside the detection range of every overflight but the chance of this would appear to be very small.

If further confidence in the effectiveness of the surface search is sought, we suggest that the following parcels of work may be worth doing:

• field measurements of the radar detection ranges of example pieces of debris – the flaperon that we have used for drift measurements, for example.

• Repeat the work reported here, for all other locations of particular interest, and using other models of the surface drift as well

• Higher-resolution numerical modelling, informed by field data, of the dispersive processes that govern the size of the debris field after 20 days drift. This is a challenging task that we doubt would be more convincing than the approach we have taken, because the rate of mixing and dispersal in the ocean varies so widely that it is impossible to determine if a complicated model is correct for any particular place and time without any corroborating evidence.

High Viz Hoody's summary of the ATSB MH370 FR -

Chapter closes on the ATSB-led search for MH370

The ATSB has released its report on the Australian-led search in the southern Indian Ocean for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.


The report, The Operational Search for MH370 records the search for MH370 and Australia’s work on the underwater search, including the ways in which the search area was identified, and how the search was conducted.

The Chief Commissioner of the ATSB, Greg Hood, said that the report demonstrated the extraordinary endeavours of people from around the world.
 
“This was an unprecedented endeavour and there has been an extraordinary response from the global community,” said Mr Hood. “There were contributions of expertise and resources from private business and organisations, agencies from different Governments, and from private individuals.”

While the resting place of the aircraft has not yet been located, the search was conducted consistent with the highest of standards of safety and professionalism, to the credit of everyone involved.

“The search inspired dedication from so many,” said Mr Hood. “I am proud to have worked with people of such commitment.”

The ATSB’s report was accompanied by the release of the CSIRO’s final MH370 research report. The search for MH370 and ocean surface drift – Part IV confirms the effectiveness of the March-April 2014 surface search in key areas.

“Our deepest sympathies remain with those who lost loved ones on MH370,” said Mr Hood. “It remains a great tragedy, and we wish that we could have brought complete closure to the bereaved. I hope, however, that they can take some solace in the fact that we did all we could do to find answers. Governments from around the world contributed to the search, with extraordinary expertise committed to the task.''

The Operational Search for MH370

Related: MH370
 



Last update 03 October 2017

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