Australia examines suspected MH370 debris

The Malaysia Airlines flight disappeared on March 8, 2014 with 239 passengers and crew on board

A piece of possible aircraft debris suspected to be a part of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 which washed up off the coast of Tanzania, arrived in Australia for examination, officials announced on Tuesday.

According to a joint statement from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) Malaysia, the large piece was found by locals on the Pemba island on June 23, and is thought to be from a wing flap, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ATSB released a statement late Monday saying it would be investigated for any signs if it was from the missing Boeing 777 jet.

"Malaysia and Australia have worked with Tanzanian officials to assume responsibility for the wing flap," the statement read.

The ATSB said other pieces of debris previously found in the region were determined to be "almost certainly" from the missing Malaysia Airlines jet, however, the investigation would go ahead before investigators make a statement regarding the origin of the "wing flap."

"To date, the ATSB has examined four pieces of debris on behalf of Malaysia and determined them to be almost certainly from MH370," the statement said.

"Technical specialists from the ATSB are working with Malaysian investigators to determine if it is from the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, MH370," it added.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was a scheduled passenger service bound from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014. It disappeared with 239 passengers and crew on board.