Search For Missing Malaysian Plane Continues In Smaller Area..

A multinational team continues the search for missing Malaysia Airlines plane in a narrowed search area. Up to 14 aircraft take off from air bases in Australia. 13 ships are heading to the area on April 10, 2014. 

They will search 57,923 sq km (22 364 sq miles) – the smallest designated search area in the hunt to date. See the updated map in the picture below.

The official leading the search said he believed teams were looking "in the right area".

Planes and ships are searching for debris based on analysis of ocean drift. Some of the objects have been recovered, however, none of them were believed to be associated with MH370. Continue...

It would be noted that an Australian vessel, the Ocean Shield (pictured above), has picked up four acoustic signals in the same broad area, using a U.S. Navy "towed pinger locator" to listen.

The signals were acquired twice on April 5-6 and again twice on April 8, Tuesday.

Expert analysis confirmed on April 9, Wednesday that the first two signals were likely to be from specific electronic equipment consistent with a flight data recorder. The signals came from the depth of about 4,500 m.

An Australian air force plane has been dropping buoys equipped with hydrophone listening devices into the water to help pick up more signals.

However, two recent signals were much weaker than the original ones. This can mean that either the search went to wrong direction and is getting away from the crash site, or, the batteries are starting to fade.

Once more data is collected the search team may deploy a submersible drone, the Bluefin 21, to search for wreckage on the sea floor.

Investigators still do not know why MH370 strayed so far off course, after disappearing over the South China Sea between Malaysia and Vietnam.

Officials considered hijacking, sabotage, pilot action or mechanical failure as possible causes. Whether the truth would ever be found or not depends on the outcome of this search mission.
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