Search for missing Indonesian plane detects metal on seabed

Searchers on an Indonesian navy ship have detected metal on the ocean floor that could be the wreckage of a jetliner carrying 102 people that disappeared on New Year's Day.

A U.S. navy ocean mapping shipwith more sophisticated equipmentwas heading to waters off Sulawesi Island's western coast, said Gatot Sudijanto, a commodore in the Indonesian navy. The USNS Mary Sears is expected to join the search on Tuesday.

The Boeing 737 left Java island for the North Sulawesi provincial capital of Manado one week ago, but experienced high winds and severe weather halfway through the two-hour flight, officials said. The 17-year-old plane was operated by budget airline Adam Air.

The pilot never issued a mayday or reported technical problems, and wreckage has not been found.

Along with planes, helicopters and ships, thousands of police, soldiers and volunteers have been searching the island's jungles and seas.

Singapore and the United States have also sent searchers and equipment.

Three Americans a man from Oregon and his two daughters were among the passengers. It is not clear if any other foreigners were on board.

Officials mistakenly announced they had found the wreckage a day after it disappeared, acting on a report from local villagers in Sulawesi's mountains.

The plane went missing three days after a ferry carrying 600 people sank. Close to 250 survivors have been found.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyon has called for investigations into both disasters.