Air safety investigators have scotched a theory that discoloured debris found in Madagascar was subject to intense fire and say they so far have not been able to link it to missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
Two items of fibreglass-honeycomb composite wreckage recovered in February near Sainte Luce, on the south-east coast of Madagascar, were brought to Australia this month by debris hunter Blaine Gibson amid speculation they had been burnt by fire on board the aircraft.
But an analysis by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau found that the areas of dark discolouration which prompted the speculation were related to resin that had been applied to the items and was not the result of exposure to heat or fire.
Investigators were also unable to find any identifiers such as parts or serial numbers on ether item that would allow them to be identified and are still attempting to determine their origin.
A burnt smell from the larger piece debris was traced to three small marks identified as damage resulting from localised heating..
“The origin and age of these marks was not apparent,’’ the report said. “However, it was considered that burning odours would generally dissipate after an extended period of environmental exposure, including salt water immersion, as expected for items originating from 9M-MRO (the tail number of the MH370 aircraft).’’
Australian Transport Minister Darren Chester the debris had been examined with the agreement of the Malaysian government.
“At this stage it is not possible to determine whether the debris is from MH370 or indeed even a Boeing 777,’’ Mr Chester said.“What is known is that contrary to speculation there is no evidence the item was exposed to heat or fire.'
“Further work will be undertaken in an attempt to determine the origin of the items, specifically whether they originated from a Boeing 777 aircraft.’’
The search for MH370 is due to wind down at the end of this year if no compelling evidence is found to warrant it being continued.
ATSB investigators have also been studying a flap from MH370 and have commissioned drift and marine ecology studies in their continuing attempts to solve the mystery.
Read MH370 and now for the facts.
