My organisation was recently involved in an incident where an emergency locator transponder (ELT) activated and our local search and rescue (SAR) unit was informed of the event by the Cospas-Sarsat international satellite system for search and rescue. Unfortunately, the aircraft had been removed from our registry seven months previously and we had no knowledge of the new operator. The ELT had not been re-programmed with the new maritime identification digit (MID) code to alert the Cospas-Sarsat System of the change. The event occurred on a Saturday, so it was difficult to contact the owner of the aircraft, the only other source of information concerning the current operator and state of registration. A 6h delay ensued before the aircraft was located and the crew contacted.
The solution in general terms is for all operators to ensure that any ELTs are correctly programmed in accordance with the individual country's protocols, so that the 15-bit hexadecimal code identifies the ELT/aircraft combination. The Cospas-Sarsat system will process the ELT transmission and route this through to the appropriate rescue co-ordination centre or other SAR 24h point of contact for the aircraft's state of registry. Similarly, it is essential that the ELT is registered with that country's designated ELT registration authority. This will provide SAR authorities with owner/operator contact information critical to the investigation of a possible distress incident.
Patrick Doolan
Airworthiness surveyor, Bermuda DCA
Source: Flight International
