The search team is hoping the piece of debris, which washed up off the coast of Tanzania last month, could give some clues as to what happened to the tragic airline.
Australian and Malaysian officials examine aircraft debris at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau headquarters
ATSB’s statement read: “A piece of aircraft debris found on Pemba Island, just off the coast of Tanzania, in late June has been transported to Australia for examination.
“Malaysia and Australia have worked with Tanzanian officials to assume responsibility for the item, believed to be an outboard wing flap.
“The Australian Transport Safety Bureau is working with Malaysian investigators to ascertain whether it is from a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777.”
The doomed Boeing 777, which was carrying 239 people, disappeared after flying off course during its journey from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing, China, on March 8, 2014.
This new piece of wreckage was found on Pemba Island, which is approximately halfway between Mombasa, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
A year ago, another wing flap was found on La Reunion, an island which lies east of Madagascar, and was positively identified by French officials.
The wing flap was discovered in June off the coast of Tanzania
The floor of the southern Indian Ocean is being meticulously searched for clues.
However, specialist boats have so far came up empty handed while trawling the 46,000-square mile.
Less than 3,900 square miles remains to be searched in the desperate bid to unravel the mystery surrounding the crash.
The search was scheduled to have finished by August but has been delayed due to heavy storms and high seas.