RE: This image of one the objects spotted was taken by a journalist on board the New Zealand plane
Can’t the plane fly any closer?
They did. The rectangle measure 1" X 3".
Basically, no. These are substantial planes and they don't turn on a dime. And they will be doing grid type searches - they would only deviate and try to go back for a closer look at a piece of debris if it was unusual and identifiable, because doing so disrupts the whole search pattern.