Satellite data on MH370 to be released

THURSDAY, May 22, 2014

All relevant parties are working towards releasing the data communications logs and technical description involving Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said.

He said Inmarsat had been providing full support in the investigation into the disappearance of the aircraft including the release of raw data, adding that his department was in discussions with Inmarsat to get a better understanding of the satellite data.

“Such data was provided to Malaysia Airlines when MH370 first went missing,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He went on to say that it was imperative for the authorities to provide as much information as possible to the next-of-kin of those aboard the plane and the public. The information would include communications logs, he added.

“It must be noted that previously where reference has been made to ‘data communications logs’ and ‘raw data’, they refer to the same set of data,” he said.

Azharuddin said the data communications logs were just one of the many elements in the investigations.

“The release of the data is in line with our policy of transparency.”

The next-of-kin, especially those from China, have consistently sought for the raw Inmarsat data.

The families have even formed Voice370 (which stands for MH370 Victims Families and Crew Association).

In an open letter signed by family members from China, Malaysia, the United States, New Zealand and India, it urged Malaysia to release the raw Inmarsat data so that “it can be subject to broader analysis by relevant experts”.

Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has also instructed the DCA to talk with Inmarsat about releasing the raw data for public consumption.

“A team of technical experts has convened in Canberra to discuss and refine the satellite data, calculations and analysis been made available by Inmarsat,” he said.

An extensive bathymetric survey of the seabed of the search areas provided by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau will be carried out in the southern Indian Ocean in the new phase of the search for MH370, Hishammuddin added.

In another development, Myanmar Defence Minister Lieutenant General Wai Lwin, who chaired the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting, which ended yesterday, said assistance would always be given to Malaysia.

“We will always maintain support for Malaysia and we feel the search for the aircraft has been done in the most professional manner,” he added.