Missing MH370: It can take up to 48 hours to confirm if debris belongs to plane, says expert

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority-led search is supported by four RAAF AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft along with a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion aircraft and a United States Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft operating from RAAF Base Pearce and Perth, Australia.- EPA.

SINGAPORE: It could take up to 48 hours to confirm that debris spotted by satellite 2,500km south-west of Perth belongs to the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, an expert said.

Michael Daniel, a retired United States Federal Aviation Administration official told The Straits Times: "If they have a strong feeling or indication that the debris belongs to the aircraft, one of the first things authorities will do is drop sonar buoys in the water.