Oceanographer 'astounded' by latest twist

Nearly a week after the search started, the world is still wondering – how does a plane go missing?

New evidence shows that an automated reporting system on the airliner was pinging satellites for hours after its last reported contact with air traffic controllers. This means that the flight may have remained airborne much longer than previously thought.

Becky spoke to David Gallo, an Oceanographer from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.  He helped in the search for the Titanic, and co-led the successful international effort to locate Air France Flight 447.

Despite all his experience, he's as confused as the rest of us about the whereabouts of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. "I'm astounded by this. It's been perplexing all along but the latest twist about how long the plane may have been airborne has really thrown me for a loop. I hope this is true, I hope it sticks because it's one thing we can cling on to as a solid bit of evidence."

Becky asked Gallo what he personally would do next if leading this investigation.  Gallo replied that if it's true that the plane may have reached the Indian Ocean, it's time to mobilize for a "different kind of search.”

"The water depths in the Indian Ocean can get upwards of 4,000, 5,000, 6,000 meters in some spots, depending on where we're talking about,” Gallo said.  “Very different from the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand."

Text: Missing Malaysian plane: Could it have landed?