Philip Argy
21st May 2013, 11:30 AM
The ATSB has just published a pioneering research report that finds that fuselage- fitted emergency locator transmitters are not as effective as we'd like to think:
http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/4125693/ar-2012-128_final.pdf
Extract from summary:
Data from the ATSB database show that ELTs function as intended in about 40 to 60 per cent of accidents in which their activation was expected.
Records of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s SAR incidents shows that search and rescue personnel were alerted to aviation emergencies in a variety ways including radio calls and phone calls, and that ELT activation accounted for the first notification in only about 15 per cent of incidents.
http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/4125693/ar-2012-128_final.pdf
Extract from summary:
Data from the ATSB database show that ELTs function as intended in about 40 to 60 per cent of accidents in which their activation was expected.
Records of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s SAR incidents shows that search and rescue personnel were alerted to aviation emergencies in a variety ways including radio calls and phone calls, and that ELT activation accounted for the first notification in only about 15 per cent of incidents.