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Malaysia missing plane: Robotic sub resumes search Malaysia missing plane: Robotic sub resumes search
(about 1 hour later)
A robotic submarine has resumed its search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight on the seabed of the southern Indian Ocean.A robotic submarine has resumed its search for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight on the seabed of the southern Indian Ocean.
The mini-sub was deployed late on Tuesday after data analysis from its first aborted mission drew a blank, officials said.The mini-sub was deployed late on Tuesday after data analysis from its first aborted mission drew a blank, officials said.
Flight MH370 went missing on 8 March with 239 people on board en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.Flight MH370 went missing on 8 March with 239 people on board en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
Air traffic controllers lost contact with it over the South China Sea.Air traffic controllers lost contact with it over the South China Sea.
Based on satellite data, officials believe it ended its flight thousands of kilometres off course, in seas west of the Australian city of Perth.Based on satellite data, officials believe it ended its flight thousands of kilometres off course, in seas west of the Australian city of Perth.
However, so far not a single piece of debris from the jet has been found.However, so far not a single piece of debris from the jet has been found.
On Monday. the US Navy's Bluefin-21 robotic submarine was sent on its first mission to search the sea floor for wreckage after signals believed to be consistent with "black box" flight recorders were detected. On Monday, the US Navy's Bluefin-21 robotic submarine was sent on its first mission to search the sea floor for wreckage after signals believed to be consistent with "black box" flight recorders were detected.
But the drone exceeded its operating limit of 4,500m (15,000ft) and built-in safety features returned it to the surface.But the drone exceeded its operating limit of 4,500m (15,000ft) and built-in safety features returned it to the surface.
"The autonomous underwater vehicle was again deployed last night (Tuesday) from ADV (Australian Defence Vessel) Ocean Shield," the Joint Agency Co-ordination Centre (JACC) said."The autonomous underwater vehicle was again deployed last night (Tuesday) from ADV (Australian Defence Vessel) Ocean Shield," the Joint Agency Co-ordination Centre (JACC) said.
"The data from Bluefin-21's first mission has been downloaded and analysed. No objects of interest were found," the JACC added."The data from Bluefin-21's first mission has been downloaded and analysed. No objects of interest were found," the JACC added.
The 5m-long Bluefin-21 can create a sonar map of the sea floor.The 5m-long Bluefin-21 can create a sonar map of the sea floor.
The US Navy has estimated that it could take the unmanned submarine from six weeks to two months to scan the search zone.The US Navy has estimated that it could take the unmanned submarine from six weeks to two months to scan the search zone.
Some 11 military planes and three civilian planes were also flying out of Perth on Wednesday to scour the Indian Ocean for floating debris.Some 11 military planes and three civilian planes were also flying out of Perth on Wednesday to scour the Indian Ocean for floating debris.
Isolated showers are forecast in the search area with sea swells of up to 2m.Isolated showers are forecast in the search area with sea swells of up to 2m.
In another development, officials are investigating an oil slick about 5.5km (3.4 miles) from the area where the last underwater signals were detected.In another development, officials are investigating an oil slick about 5.5km (3.4 miles) from the area where the last underwater signals were detected.
An oil sample has been sent back to Perth for analysis, a process that will take several days, said Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, who heads the JACC.An oil sample has been sent back to Perth for analysis, a process that will take several days, said Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, who heads the JACC.
Australian officials have said they are confident they are searching in the right area for the missing plane.Australian officials have said they are confident they are searching in the right area for the missing plane.
But ACM Houston warned on Monday that the search of the sea floor could be a long, painstaking process that might not yield results.But ACM Houston warned on Monday that the search of the sea floor could be a long, painstaking process that might not yield results.
Officials so far have no idea why the plane diverted so far from its intended flight path. Investigators are looking at theories including hijacking, mechanical failure, sabotage and pilot action.Officials so far have no idea why the plane diverted so far from its intended flight path. Investigators are looking at theories including hijacking, mechanical failure, sabotage and pilot action.