Latest developments:
- Next-of-kin want Inmarsat data purchased and shared globally
Follow us as we bring the latest updates and coverage for the search of Flight MH370:
Inmarsat data can be analysed by aviation experts
11.50pm: Families of Chinese nationals onboard MH370 want Malaysia to purchase raw data from the British satellite company Inmarsat, Bernama reports.
It is suggested that the data could then be shared and made available globally to be analysed by experts.
"Let the whole world join in the analysis work," a relative is quoted saying in Beijing.
She further suggests a fund be set up to award individuals who succeed in locating the plane.
Satellite data and calculations by Inmarsat were instrumental in helping investigators determine that the plane ended up in the south Indian Ocean.
However, as days go by with still no sign of the wreckage, the families have questioned the Malaysian government's reluctance to release the data so that families could have it studied by an independent party.
Read full story here .
10-hour searches among SAR challenges
7.10pm: Bernama reports that the daily, 10-hour duration set for the search and recovery operation was just one of the challenges crew of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) C-130 Hercules aircraft faced in the hunt for missing MH370.
A pilot of the aircraft, Major Azman Amat, 44, is quoted saying that the crew’s efforts were also hampered by foul weather.
Preliminary report to be disclosed
5pm: Acting Transport Minister Hishamuddin Hussein says the preliminary report sent to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will be released to the public next week, states China's CCTV in a tweet.
This comes after Malaysia faced heavy scrutiny when it stated it was unsure if the preliminary report would be released publicly.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin will be leaving for Australia next week to discuss the next phase of the search and recovery operations, as well as costs.
When asked how much will Malaysia pay for new phase, Hishammuddin says: “Ask me next week”.
"So far Australia has not talked about dollars and cents but looking forward, it is fair that we discuss that," he tells reporters at KLIA2.
Hishammuddin says the meeting is aimed at discussing the assets needed for the search, where and how wide the new search area will be and other issues before coming to a consensus on the sharing of costs.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott had said that next phase may cost up to A$60 million (RM182 million) as private contractors is to be hired and that underwater search efforts will be intensified.
Sonar-assisted search to begin next week
4pm: Meanwhile, Joint Action Coodination Centre (JACC) chief Angus Houston tells Sky News that the Bay of Bengal claims is worth looking into.
This comes despite the JACC earlier dismissing the claim, stating it is satisfied with satellite information and other data which placed the missing Boeing 777 in the south Indian Ocean.
He also says that sonar technology-assisted search will start next week. Australian authorities are now in the midst of hiring private contractors for the job.
What's cost of GeoResonance's search?
2pm: Although the Bay of Bengal claim has raised questions over whether searchers have been looking for missing Flight MH370 at the wrong place, questions are also abound over Asutralia firm GeoResonance's motives.
In particular, the Christian Science Monitor asks why GeoResonance had not used its technology to instead look in area currently being searched, in the south Indian Ocean.
"As of Tuesday, Malaysian officials say they are now looking more closely at the GeoResonance's images. But one question they might ask GeoResonance: Why not focus their scanning technology on the current official search area? And what might the price for that be?" it writes.
'M'sia had enough time to prove self '
11:24am: A Republican party strategist urges the United States to lead the search for MH370 as he says the world cannot count on Malaysia to tell the truth.
Referring to the Bay of Bengal claim, Ed Rogers, in his column in the Washington Post says the probe has been "floundering" thus far and Malaysia has had enough time to prove itself.
According to him, the US Navy should take over the search and when the mystery is solved, as he is certain the US can solve it, Malaysia should foot the bill.
"If they (Malaysia) don’t pay, we can impose trade sanctions until we are made whole. This is not just another foreign tragedy anymore; it is time for certainty," he writes.
"The world should now count on America to solve this problem and answer those questions. After all, this is why the world has an America."
This comes after former US National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) investigator Clive Irving's bristling commentary in the Daily Beast , questioning why Malaysia’s preliminary report to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is still not made public.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had earlier promised to make it public by this week.
Families finally hear cockpit recording
11am: Meanwhile, in Beijing, the UK's Independent reports that the cockpit audio recording was finally played for the passengers' families, who have been pushing for it for over 50 days.
This was during the first of what is believed to be a series of technical briefings to be held for the irate families, who have demanded more transparency.
JACC 'satisfied' plane in south Indian Ocean
10.12am: Australia's Joint Action Coordination Centre (JACC) disputes claims by Australian firm GeoResonance that it found materials consistent with a Boeing 777 in the Bay of Bengal, 5,000kilometres from the search area.
" The Australian-led search is relying on information from satellite and other data to determine the missing aircraft's location," the JACC is quoted by CNN as saying.
"The location specified by the GeoResonance report is not within the search arc derived from this data.
"The joint international team is satisfied that the final resting place of the missing aircraft is in the southerly portion of the search arc."
CNN also reports that the exploration company GeoResonance, which had sent authorities report on its findings on Mar 31 and Apr 15 claims to have been ignored and went public due to a "moral obligation".
However, GeoResonance said Malaysian officials who contacted it yesterday appeared "very interested" and "very excited" over the find.
GeoResonance specialises in analysing superweak electromagnetic fields using technology find nuclear, biological and other weaponry under the ocean.
Malaysia has consulted the international technical team based in Kuala Lumpur on the matter and is seeking further expert opinions to verify the information.
Bluefin to commence 17th dive
9.25am: The search at the Southern Indian Ocean enters a new phase, and is being carried out less than 2,000kilometres from Perth.
The JACC says the Bluefin-21 underwater drone will continue to search the seabed until other technology is deployed for the intensified deep sea search.
"Bluefin-21, which has completed its search of the 314 square kilometre area around the detections made by the towed pinger locator, will continue to search adjacent areas," it says in a statement and adds the Bluefin will embark on its 17th mission, once weather condition improves.
As aerial search has been called off, all assets used for that will return to their bases and arrangements for the new phase is underway.
However, the Australia Defence Vessel Ocean Shield will remain on site while the Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C Orion will be on standby in Perth.
Background:
- The Beijing-bound Boeing 777-200ER aircraft went missing not long after taking off from KL International Airport in the early hours of March 8, with 12 crew members and 227 passengers.
