KUALA LUMPUR: As new signals potentially linked to the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 have emerged, an expert has urged for the assembling of a specialist team to reassess the search for the aircraft's final location.
Universiti Kuala Lumpur's Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology head of the aviation search and rescue department, associate professor Major Dr Mohd Harridon Mohamed Suffian emphasised the importance of a meticulous approach.
"This would be the prudent move as it could collectively and distinctively establish proper methodologies to enhance the results of the research," he said.
The call for a renewed, expert-driven search follows recent findings by a research team from Cardiff University.
The team detected a six-second signal using an underwater hydrophone at Cape Leeuwin in Western Australia, one of two stations that picked up signals shortly after MH370's last radar contact.
These hydrophones, originally designed to detect banned nuclear tests, recorded signals around the time the plane was believed to have crashed.
"The recent research published by a researcher from Cardiff University highlighted several delineations with regards to MH370, and there were several points of contention pursuant to the research. It is prudent for us to address these designated factors before a search can be resumed," said Harridon.
While the Cardiff University research did not pinpoint the exact location of MH370, it identified an acoustic signal potentially produced by the plane's impact with water.
"The research intended to establish and create a distinct 'acoustic signature' of the designated crash. But even that, as claimed by the researcher, was not scientifically accurate, and there is a need to actuate several control explosions to verify and validate the accuracy of the 'acoustic signature' of the crash of MH370," he explained.
Harridon advocated for assembling experts and specialists to build upon the Cardiff University research.
"It is perhaps sensible to also take heed of the recommendations from the researcher which is to perform field experimentations to verify and validate further the 'acoustic signature' of the impact of MH370. This is wise as we would be engaging in a structured scientific and mathematical approach rather than actuating a wild goose chase," he said.
Yesterday, Transport Minister Anthony Loke indicated that Ocean Infinity, an ocean robotics company, had proposed resuming the MH370 search, taking into account this new lead.
The proposal is currently under review by the ministry before being presented to the cabinet.
Meanwhile, hydrographic surveyor and former commanding officer of KD Perantau, a Royal Malaysian Navy hydrographic survey ship, Commander (rtd) Kamaruddin Yusoff, suggested integrating the new lead with existing data.
"It can be added into the existing dataset, and from there, we could review and specify certain areas where we could do a detailed search."
Kamaruddin highlighted the potential for more refined scanning methods.
"The updated data could allow the Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) used by Ocean Infinity to scan an area with better resolution. Where the previous search might have a resolution of 50 meters per pixel of image, the AUVs could now go to a designated area and scan it with a much more refined resolution of 5 or 10 meters per pixel."
Flight MH370 vanished on March 8, 2014, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Despite a multinational search covering over 120,000 square kilometres, the search was suspended in 2017.