Research conducted by Cardiff University suggests that underwater microphones, or hydrophones, could be crucial in locating airplanes like MH370 when they crash into the ocean. The study analyzed over 100 hours of data from hydrophones recorded after 10 historical aircraft accidents and one submarine disappearance.
These findings, published in Scientific Reports a decade after Malaysia Airlines Flight 370's disappearance, propose further investigation into the aircraft’s last known location and ..
Aircraft crashes into the ocean create distinctive acoustic signals that travel long distances through the water and can be recorded by hydrophones on the seabed. Dr. Usama Kadri from Cardiff University’s School of Mathematics highlighted that pressure signals from past aircraft crashes were detected by hydrophones even at distances over 3,000 km. Official investigations into MH370 concluded that the aircraft likely crashed near the 7th arc, the location of its last communication with INMERSAT. ..
The study recommends conducting field experiments along the 7th arc, using controlled explosions or airguns to generate signals similar to those expected from the impact of MH370. Monitoring these signals at surrounding hydroacoustic stations could offer insights into the missing aircraft's location. These experiments could also advance hydroacoustic technology as a tool for identifying potential crash sites of future airplane incidents.