The procedures in this section are to be used solely in oceanic airspace.
Emergency phases are described as follows:
a. Uncertainty Phase (INCERFA). When there is concern about the
safety of an aircraft or its occupants, an INCERFA exists:
1. When communication from an aircraft has not been received
within 30 minutes after the time a communication should have been received
or after the time an unsuccessful attempt to establish communication with
such aircraft was first made, whichever is earlier; or
2. When an aircraft fails to arrive within 30 minutes after
the time of arrival last estimated by the pilot or by the ATC units, whichever
is later.
b. Alert Phase (ALERFA). When there is apprehension about the
safety of an aircraft and its occupants, an ALERFA exists:
1. Following the uncertainty phase when subsequent attempts
to establish communications with the aircraft, or inquiries to other relevant
sources, have failed to reveal any information about the aircraft; or
2. When information has been received which indicates that the
operating efficiency of the aircraft has been impaired but not to the extent
that a forced landing is likely; or
3. When communication from an aircraft has not been received
within 60 minutes after the time a communication should have been received
or after the time an unsuccessful attempt to establish communication with
such aircraft was first made, whichever is earlier.
c. Distress Phase (DETRESFA). When there is reasonable certainty
that the aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent
danger, a DETRESFA exists:
1. Following the alert phase when further attempts to establish
communications with the aircraft and more widespread inquiries are unsuccessful;
or
2. When the fuel on board is considered to be exhausted or to
be insufficient for the aircraft to reach safety; or
3. When information is received which indicates that the operating
efficiency of the aircraft has been impaired to the extent that a forced
landing is likely; or
4. When information is received or it is reasonably certain
that the aircraft is about to make or has made a forced landing.
10-6-3 Alerting Service and Special Assistance
a. Provide Alerting Service to:
1. All aircraft receiving ATC service;
2. All other aircraft which have filed a flight plan or which
are otherwise known to the ATC unit; and
3. Any aircraft known or believed to be the subject of unlawful
interference.
b. When Alerting Service is required, the responsibility for
coordinating such service shall, unless otherwise established by letter
of agreement, rest with the facility serving the flight information region
(FIR) or control area (CTA):
1. Within which the aircraft was flying at the time of last
air-ground radio contact; or
2. Which the aircraft was about to enter if the last air-ground
contact was established at or close to the boundary; or
3. Within which the point of destination is located if the aircraft:
(a) Was not equipped with suitable two-way radio communications
equipment; or
(b) Was not under obligation to transmit position reports.
REFERENCE -
FAAO 7110.65, Chapter 8, Section 2.
c. The responsible Area Control Center (ACC) shall serve as the
control point for:
1. Collecting all information relevant to a state of emergency
of an aircraft;
2. Forwarding that information to the appropriate Rescue Coordination
Center (RCC); and
3. Coordinating with other facilities concerned.
d. The responsibility of the ACC to provide Alerting Service
for military aircraft may be waived upon a written or recorded request
from a military agency. In this case, the military request must state that
the military agency assumes full responsibility for their aircraft while
the aircraft are operating in the oceanic airspace.
e. Responsibility to provide alerting service for flight operations
conducted under the "due regard" or "operational" prerogative of military
aircraft is assumed by the military. When "due regard" operations are scheduled
to end with aircraft filed under ICAO procedures, the ACC may, if specified
in a letter of agreement, assume responsibility for alerting service at
proposed time filed.
f. In the event of INCERFA, ALERFA, or DETRESFA, notify the following:
1. When practicable, the aircraft operator.
2. The appropriate RCC.
3. Aeronautical stations having en route communications guard
responsibilities at the point of departure, along or adjacent to the route
of flight, and at the destination.
4. ACCs having jurisdiction over the proposed route of flight
from the last reported position to the destination airport.
g. INCERFA, ALERFA, and DETRESFA messages shall include the following
information, if available, in the order listed:
1. INCERFA, ALERFA, or DETRESFA according to the phase of the
emergency.
2. Agency and person originating the message.
3. Nature of the emergency.
4. Significant flight plan information.
5. The air traffic unit which made the last radio contact, the
time, and the frequency used.
6. The aircraft's last position report, how it was received,
and what facility received it.
7. Color and distinctive marks of aircraft.
8. Any action taken by reporting office.
9. Other pertinent remarks.
h. An INCERFA phase ends with the receipt of any information
or position report on the aircraft. Cancel the INCERFA by a message addressed
to the same stations as the INCERFA message.
1. An ALERFA ends when:
(a) Evidence exists that would ease apprehension about
the safety of the aircraft and its occupants; or
(b) The concerned aircraft lands. Cancel the ALERFA message
by a message addressed to the same stations as the ALERFA message.
2. A DETRESFA ends when the:
(a) Aircraft successfully lands; or
(b) RCC advises of a successful rescue; or
(c) RCC advises of termination of Search and Rescue (SAR)
activities. Cancel the DETRESFA by a message addressed to the same stations
as the DETRESFA message.
i. A separate chronological record should be kept on each ALERFA
and DETRESFA together with a chart which displays the projected route of
the aircraft, position reports received, route of interceptor aircraft,
and other pertinent information.
a. If an aircraft over water requests weather, sea conditions, ditching information, and/or assistance from surface vessels, or if the controller feels that this information may be necessary for aircraft safety, it should be requested from the RCC. Also, an appropriate AMVER SURPIC should be asked for if requested by the aircraft or deemed beneficial by control personnel.
NOTE -
The Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue System (AMVER) center
can deliver, in a manner of minutes, a Surface Picture (SURPIC) of vessels
in the area of a SAR incident, including their predicted positions and
their characteristics.
b. In all cases of aircraft ditching, the airspace required for
SAR operations shall be determined by the RCC. The ACC shall block that
airspace until the RCC advises the airspace is no longer required. An International
Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) shall be issued describing the airspace affected.
c. The following actions will be taken in the event an aircraft
must make an emergency descent:
1. In the event an aircraft requests an emergency descent:
(a) Issue a clearance to the requested altitude if approved
separation can be provided.
(b) Advise the aircraft of the traffic, and request its
intentions if traffic prevents an unrestricted descent.
PHRASEOLOGY -
ATC ADVISES (aircraft identification) UNABLE TO APPROVE UNRESTRICTED
DESCENT. TRAFFIC (traffic information). REQUEST INTENTIONS.
2. In the event an aircraft is making or will make an emergency
descent without a clearance:
(a) Advise other aircraft of the emergency descent.
PHRASEOLOGY -
ATC ADVISES (aircraft identification/ALL AIRCRAFT) BE ALERT FOR EMERGENCY
DESCENT IN THE VICINITY OF (latitude/longitude) FROM (altitude/FL) TO (altitude/FL).
(b) Advise other aircraft when the emergency descent is
complete.
PHRASEOLOGY -
(Aircraft identification/ALL AIRCRAFT) EMERGENCY DESCENT AT (location)
COMPLETED.
3. Upon notification that an aircraft is making an emergency
descent through other traffic, take action immediately to safeguard all
aircraft concerned.
4. When appropriate, broadcast by ATC communications, by radio
navigation aids, and/or through aeronautical communication stations/services
an emergency message to all aircraft in the vicinity of the descending
aircraft. Include the following information:
(a) Location of emergency descent.
(b) Direction of flight.
(c) Type aircraft.
(d) Route if appropriate.
(e) Altitude vacated.
(f) Other information.
EXAMPLE -
"ATTENTION ALL AIRCRAFT IN THE VICINITY OF TROUT, A NORTHBOUND D-C
TEN ON A-T-S ROUTE ALFA SEVEN HUNDRED IS MAKING AN EMERGENCY DESCENT FROM
FLIGHT LEVEL THREE THREE ZERO." (Repeat as you deem appropriate.)
5. If traffic conditions permit, provide traffic information
to the affected aircraft.
6. Immediately after an emergency broadcast or traffic information
has been made, issue appropriate clearances or instructions, as necessary,
to all aircraft involved.
10-6-5 Services to Rescue Aircraft
a. Provide standard IFR separation between the search and rescue
aircraft and the aircraft in distress, except that when visual or radar
contact has been established by the search and rescue aircraft and the
pilots of both aircraft concur, IFR separation may be discontinued.
b. Clear the search and rescue aircraft to a fixed clearance
limit rather than to the aircraft in distress, which is a moving fix. Issue
route clearances that are consistent with that of the distressed aircraft.
c. Advise the rescue aircraft, as soon as practicable, of any
factors that could adversely affect its mission; e.g., unfavorable weather
conditions, anticipated problems, the possibility of not being able to
approve an IFR descent through en route traffic, etc.
d. Advise the appropriate rescue agency of all pertinent information
as it develops.
e. Forward immediately any information about the action being
taken by the RCC, other organizations, or aircraft to the aircraft concerned.
f. Advise the aircraft operator of the current status of the
search and rescue operation as soon as practicable.
g. Since prompt, correct, and complete information is the key
to successful rescue operations, ensure that this information is swiftly
and smoothly supplied to those organizations actively engaged in rescue
operations.