An interim report into the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 accident has not identified a definitive cause for the disappearance of the aircraft.

The Beijing-bound aircraft with 239 passengers and crew onboard disappeared off the radars over the Indian Ocean on 8 March 2014.

The interim report stated the solid state flight data recorder (SSFDR) underwater locator beacons (ULB) battery expired in December 2012 and was not replaced.

The report said: "There were no behavioural signs of social isolation, change in habits or interest, self-neglect, drug or alcohol abuse of the captain, first officer and the cabin crew."

"The interim report stated the solid state flight data recorder (SSFDR) underwater locator beacons (ULB) battery expired in December 2012 and was not replaced."

The Malaysia-led investigation team confirmed that MH370 was spotted turning back by Malaysian primary radars. In January, the Malaysian Government declared the MH370 disappearance as an accident.

Prime minister Najib Razak said: "The disappearance of MH370 is without precedent, and so too is the search, by far the most complex and technically challenging in aviation history.

"Together with our international partners, we have followed the little evidence that exists. Malaysia remains committed to the search, and hopeful that MH370 will be found."

Reuters cited Australia deputy prime minister Warren Truss, who said the government is in talks to call off the search for the missing airliner.

A multi-nation search for traces of the aircraft along the 60,000km² of the ocean floor 1,600km west of the Australian city of Perth was unsuccessful.