At a Glance
- Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished on March 8 2014, 39 minutes after takeoff.
- Ocean Infinity will search 15,000 km² in the southern Indian Ocean, starting Dec. 30.
- The company will receive $70 million only if wreckage is found.
- Why it matters: Families and aviation experts still seek answers about the missing aircraft.
Malaysia’s government has authorized a renewed search for the lost Boeing 777, hoping new technology will finally locate the wreckage.
The Disappearance
The aircraft left Kuala Lumpur for Beijing on March 8 2014. Forty-nine seconds after the last “Good night, Malaysian Three Seven Zero” call, the transponder stopped. Military radar showed the jet turn back over the Andaman Sea, while satellite data suggested it kept flying for hours before likely crashing.
- 12 crew members and 227 passengers aboard, including five children.
- Passengers came from China, the U.S., Indonesia, France, Russia and other countries.
Search History
Initial searches covered the South China Sea, Andaman Sea and the southern Indian Ocean. The largest underwater effort spanned 120,000 km² off western Australia. The first confirmed debris, a flaperon, was found on Réunion Island in July 2015; more pieces appeared along Africa’s east coast. The search was suspended in January 2017, and Ocean Infinity resumed in 2018 under a “no-find, no-fee” deal, ending without results.
| Date | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2014-03-08 | Flight disappears | 39 min after takeoff |
| 2014-2017 | Initial search | 120,000 km² covered |
| 2018 | Ocean Infinity resumes | No wreckage found |
| 2023-03 | New contract | 15,000 km², $70 m incentive |
| 2023-Dec-30 | Search resumes | 55 days scheduled |
Renewed Hunt
In March, Malaysia signed a new “no-find, no-fee” agreement with Ocean Infinity. The vessel will patrol a 15,000 km² area, with a $70 million payout if wreckage is located. Weather halted the operation in April, but officials announced a 55-day intermittent search starting Dec. 30.
- Search will focus on the most probable location based on debris drift.
- Ocean Infinity claims to use new technology and expert analysis.
- Families await any breakthrough that could finally explain the disappearance.
Key Takeaways
- The search for MH370 has been restarted with a $70 million incentive.
- Ocean Infinity will cover 15,000 km² over 55 days beginning Dec. 30.
- No wreckage has been found despite previous large-scale efforts.
The renewed effort offers a last chance for families and investigators to uncover the fate of Flight MH370.
