Story ID: GPmh370descentrate11022016
New MH370 Report Indicates Uncontrolled Descent
By: Gregory Polek
Caption: Findings based on final satellite communications and evidence that wing flap remained retracted upon separating from aircraft
Word Count: 270
A new report issued by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau updating the progress of the investigation into the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 indicates that the most recent analysis of satellite data shows a “high and increasing rate of descent” as the Boeing 777 plunged into the Indian Ocean, effectively discounting theories of a controlled descent. Separately, analysis of debris from MH370 that washed ashore in Tanzania indicates that the wing flap remained in its retracted position when it broke from the airplane, further debunking theories that the pilots tried to ditch the airplane as it approached the water. The findings appear to support investigators’ theories that the airplane ran out of fuel and dove into a remote part of the Indian Ocean off Western Australia.

Meanwhile, drift analysis results show that the debris so far recovered didn’t likely originate from south of the current search area. They also point to the northernmost regions of the search area as “less likely” crash points. Scientists continue their drift analysis work and expect to refine their results before the investigation ends.

MH370, a Boeing 777-200 with 239 passengers and crew aboard, disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014 while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Australia accepted responsibility for the search at the request of the Malaysian government; it has concentrated its effort in the southern Indian Ocean.

Australian authorities said they expect crews to finish their search of the 46,000-square mile early next year, by which time if no new evidence points to a specific location of the aircraft they would officially suspend the effort.