Since Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared back in 2014, it has been one of the biggest mysteries in aviation.
Now, scientists believe they have ‘narrowed down’ the crash location, thanks to a new mathematical model.
Researchers from the University of Miami developed the model by analysing satellite data of how buoys move around the ocean.
The buoys were then placed on a virtual grid of more than 3,000 virtual squares to simulate where plane debris would float to.
However, because very little debris has been found, the model may not be entirely accurate.
Dr Philippe Miron, who led the study, said: “Surprisingly, after more than three years, there is only a handful of confirmed debris recovered from the airplane. This increases the errors of the model.”
The team was also forced to develop three separate models, due to seasonal variation in the Indian Ocean.
Dr Miron added: “The monsoon in the Indian Ocean has important effects on the circulation of the region.”
Overall, the model indicates that the crash site lies from 33 to 17 degrees south latitude along the arc of the last satellite to contact the downed plane.
According to the researchers, this is ‘substantially’ further north of the region where most search efforts have been concentrated.
The researchers hope their findings will help to guide future efforts to find the MH370 wreckage.
