Paint and stenciling on debris found in Mozambique matches Boeing 777 parts used by Malaysia Airlines, investigators searching for missing Flight MH370 said Wednesday.
Examination and analysis of two parts found on the east African coast was carried out in Australia by international experts, the Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) announced in an update.
“The dimensions, materials and construction of both parts conform to the specifications of a Boeing 777 aircraft,” it said. “The paint and stenciling on both parts match those used by Malaysia Airlines; and as such, both parts are consistent with panels from a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft, and are almost certainly from MH370.”
Last week, officials said the discoveries were “consistent with drift modeling” that “further affirms our search efforts in the southern Indian Ocean.”
The only other confirmed piece of debris from the Boeing 777, which disappeared while en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur with 239 people on board, was found last July in the southern Indian Ocean.
One of the fragments was found by an 18-year-old South African, Liam Lötter, who was on vacation last December in the coastal resort town of Xai Xai when he discovered a large object on the beach. Printed on it was what appeared to be a serial number — 676EB.
An American lawyer and adventurer, Blaine Alan Gibson, found the other piece.
