1st phase French investigation on MH370 flaperon completed - JACC

The French-led investigation team examining the wing part or flaperon of the vanished Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 aircraft has concluded the first phase of inspection work.

Australian Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) said the French authorities would, in consultation with Malaysia, report on the progress in due course.

"The French investigation team is working as quickly as possible to provide complete and reliable information," said the agency in a statement issued here today.

On Aug 6, international experts confirmed that the flaperon found on French territory, Reunion Island last month was from Flight MH370 - supporting an earlier conclusion that the MAS plane crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, about 17 months ago. Flight MH370 went missing while enroute to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on March 8, last year. There were 239 passengers and crew on board.

JACC also said officials from Australia, Malaysia and China were expected to meet in Canberra early next month to share information and discuss search operations.

"This meeting will particularly focus on planning to ensure the search is conducted as efficiently as possible, taking advantage of expected better weather with the onset of summer," it said.

Meanwhile, both the Fugro vessels, Discovery and Equator, are now back in the search location to continue with search operations for the missing aircraft in the ocean.

"The Fugro Discovery arrived on Aug 12, while Fugro Equator will arrive from the resupply routine today (Aug 19).

"The vessel will conduct search operations until mid-September," said JACC.

On Aug 16, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the mission to locate Flight MH370 involving Malaysia, Australia and China would continue at the seabed of the Indian Ocean, adding that among the key items sought were the black box and the plane wreckage.