Section 5, Chapter 3 - Overdue Aircraft

Question 1

What are the key considerations and initial actions for handling an overdue aircraft?

Answer 1

Emergency Actions:

• Apply emergency actions described in other chapters, particularly radio failure procedures, if appropriate.
• Continue attempts to re-establish communication while commencing overdue action.

Overdue Action:

• Consider overdue action not solely related to the filing of a flight plan.
• If a pilot has made their intentions clear and does not arrive or report as expected, consider taking overdue action.

Commencement of Overdue Action:

• Must start no later than the specified times in the following paragraphs.
• Discretionary decision to take action before these times, considering:
• Type of Aircraft: Non-radio light aircraft may not strictly adhere to the flight plan.
• Route: Prompt action needed for routes over sparsely populated areas, mountainous regions, or long stretches of water.
• Weather: Non-radio aircraft may extend flight time to avoid bad weather, allowing for sufficient deviation time where no additional hazards exist.

Question 2

What preliminary actions should be taken for a non-radio aircraft overdue by 30 minutes after ETA?

Answer 2

Check Flight Plan:

• Verify for obvious errors in compilation or transmission.

Consult Operating Company:

• Contact the operating company or representative if available.

Confirm ATD:

• Confirm actual time of departure (ATD) with the aerodrome of departure using the quickest means of communication.

Coordination with ACC Supervisor:

• Check with alternate aerodromes.
• Send RQS (Request Supplementary Information) message.
• Check with likely aerodromes on and adjacent to the proposed route of the aircraft.

Question 3

What full overdue actions should be taken for a non-radio aircraft overdue by 1 hour after ETA?

Answer 3

Notify Parent ACC:

• Inform the parent ACC that the aircraft is fully overdue and state the actions already taken.

Continue Tracing Efforts:

• In consultation with the ACC supervisor, continue efforts to trace the aircraft.
• Notify local police or other appropriate bodies to be on the lookout for the aircraft, especially if a forced landing is assumed in a particular area.

Question 4

What preliminary actions should be taken if a radio-equipped aircraft fails to make a position report by 30 minutes past the estimated time for the reporting point?

Answer 4

Advise ACC Supervisor:

• Inform the ACC supervisor that the aircraft is overdue.

Confirm ATD:

• Confirm the actual time of departure (ATD) from the departure aerodrome by the quickest possible means.

Send RQS Message:

• Ensure that an RQS (Request Supplementary Information) message is sent.

Question 5

What full overdue actions should be taken if a radio-equipped aircraft remains unreported?

Answer 5

Timeframes for Action:

• No news received after the preliminary actions.
• 1 hour has elapsed since a scheduled position report should have been received.
• The fuel carried by the aircraft is considered to be exhausted.

Notify ACC Supervisor:

• Inform the ACC supervisor at the destination aerodrome that the aircraft is fully overdue.

Question 6

What actions should be taken if an aircraft cleared for approach fails to land within 5 minutes of the estimated time and communication cannot be established?

Answer 6

Alert Authorities:

• Alert Approach Surveillance Control, if available.
• Request other aircraft in the vicinity of the aircraft’s last known position to be on the lookout.

Exercise Caution:

• Exercise caution when authorising the movement of aerodrome traffic.

Alert Emergency Services:

• Alert emergency services in accordance with MATS Part 2.

Check with Nearby Aerodromes:

• Check with other aerodromes in the vicinity.

Send RQS Message:

• If necessary, send an RQS (Request Supplementary Information) message.

Advise ACC Supervisor:

• Inform the ACC supervisor of the situation.