A re-analysis of raw data from satellite communications provider Inmarsat has confirmed the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 went down in the southern Indian Ocean after running out of fuel.
The analysis of 45 pages of raw data which details ‘handshake’ communications logs between the aircraft and the Inmarsat satellite which is in geosynchronous orbit above the Indian Ocean was performed after the provision of the data to the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation.
Based on the aircraft’s final heading, estimated speed and predicted fuel consumption, the analyses of the data by Malaysia and UK authorities, and by the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) have all supported the Indian Ocean theory, although they have been unable to narrow down the area from those searched during March and April.
After returning to Perth for replenishment earlier this month, the Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield has resumed its search of the area about 1500km WNW of Perth using the ‘Bluefin’ autonomous underwater vehicle.
