a. Consider an aircraft to be overdue, initiate the procedures stated in this section and issue an ALNOT when neither communications nor radar contact can be established and 30 minutes have passed since:
NOTE -
The procedures in this section also apply to an aircraft referred to
as "missing" or "unreported."
1. Its ETA over a specified or compulsory reporting point or
at a clearance limit in your area.
2. Its clearance void time.
b. If you have reason to believe that an aircraft is overdue
prior to 30 minutes, take the appropriate action immediately.
c. The center in whose area the aircraft is first unreported
or overdue will make these determinations and takes any subsequent action
required.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Departure Restrictions, Clearance Void Times, Hold for
Release and Release Times, paragraph 4-3-4.
10-3-2 Information to be Forwarded to ARTCC
TERMINAL
When an aircraft is considered to be in emergency status that
may require SAR procedures, or an IFR aircraft is overdue, the terminal
facility shall alert the ARTCC and forward the following information as
available:
a. Flight plan, including color of aircraft, if known.
b. Time of last transmission received, by whom, and frequency
used.
c. Last position report and how determined.
d. Action taken by reporting facility and proposed action.
e. Number of persons on board.
f. Fuel status.
g. Facility working aircraft and frequency.
h. Last known position, estimated present position, and maximum
range of flight of the aircraft based on remaining fuel and airspeed.
i. Position of other aircraft near aircraft's route of flight,
when requested.
j. Whether or not an ELT signal has been heard or reported in
the vicinity of the last known position.
k. Other pertinent information.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Responsibility, paragraph 10-1-4.
FAAO 7110.65, Emergency Situations, paragraph 10-2-5.
NOTE -
FSS's serve as the central points for collecting and disseminating
information on an overdue or missing aircraft which is not on an IFR flight
plan. Non-FSS ATC facilities that receive telephone calls or other inquires
regarding these flights shall refer these calls and inquiries to the appropriate
AFSS/FSS.
10-3-3 Information to be Forwarded to RCC
EN ROUTE
When an aircraft is considered to be in emergency status or an
IFR aircraft is overdue, the ARTCC shall alert the RCC and forward the
following information as available:
a. Facility and person calling.
b. Flight plan, including color of aircraft, if known.
c. Time of last transmission received, by whom, and frequency
used.
d. Last position report and how determined.
e. Action taken by reporting facility and proposed action.
f. Number of persons on board.
g. Fuel status.
h. Facility working aircraft and frequency.
i. Last known position, estimated present position, and maximum
range of flight of the aircraft based on remaining fuel and airspeed.
j. Position of other aircraft near aircraft's route of flight,
when requested.
k. Whether or not an ELT signal has been heard or reported in
the vicinity of the last known position.
l. Other pertinent information.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Responsibility, paragraph 10-1-4.
FAAO 7110.65, Emergency Situations, paragraph 10-2-5.
NOTE -
FSSs serve as the central points for collecting and disseminating information
on an overdue or missing aircraft which is not on an IFR flight plan. Non-FSS
ATC facilities that receive telephone calls or other inquiries regarding
these flights shall refer these calls and inquiries to the appropriate
AFSS/FSS.
EN ROUTE
a. In addition to routing to your regional office operations
center, issue an ALNOT to all centers and Area B circuits, generally 50
miles on either side of the route of flight from the last reported position
to destination. Include the original or amended flight plan, as appropriate,
and the last known position of the aircraft. At the recommendation of the
RCC or at your discretion, the ALNOT may be issued to cover the maximum
range of the aircraft.
NOTE -
1 - An ALNOT must be issued before the RCC can begin Search and Rescue
procedures.
2 - Flight plan information on military aircraft is available at the
FSS serving as tie-in station for the departure or destination airport.
FAA tie-in stations for airports in the Continental United States are listed
in the Location Identifiers Handbook. In the Western-Pacific Region, tie-in
stations are listed in regional publications entitled, "Flight Plan Routing
and Airport Search Directory." For flights with overseas departure points,
the information is available through the destination FSS or the appropriate
IFSS.
b. Upon receipt of an INREQ or ALNOT, check the position records to determine whether the aircraft has contacted your facility. Notify the originator of the results or status of this check within one hour of the time the alert was received. Retain the alert in an active status, and immediately notify the originator of subsequent contact, until cancellation is received.
10-3-5 Responsibility Transfer to RCC
EN ROUTE
Transfer responsibility for further search to the RCC when one
of the following occurs:
a. Thirty minutes have elapsed after the estimated aircraft fuel
exhaustion time.
b. The aircraft has not been located within one hour after ALNOT
issuance.
c. The ALNOT search has been completed with negative results.
10-3-6 Aircraft Position Plots
Plot the flight path of the aircraft on a chart, including position reports, predicted positions, possible range of flight, and any other pertinent information. Solicit the assistance of other aircraft known to be operating near the aircraft in distress. Forward this information to the RCC or the ARTCC as appropriate.
EN ROUTE
Cancel the ALNOT when the aircraft is located or the search is
abandoned.