it's the first time the minister for defense and transportation and the chief of defense force have been out to survey this massive operation. this invited cnn to join them. i have to put this life jacket on because we're now descending to just 500 feet above sea level. lying low, the doors are opened for the search to begin. we flew past a number of ships scouring the sea for the plane, those on board or any clues at all to what happened. >> i just want to find the plane, you know, at all costs. as long as we are still standing and as long as people are out there praying for us, we will continue to persevere. and this is something that i will not stop. this is what i promised the families. >> reporter: we flew to the west