AIM 6-2-6

General. SAR is a lifesaving service provided through the combined efforts of the federal agencies signatory to the National SAR Plan, and the agencies responsible for SAR within each state. Operational resources are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, DoD components, the Civil Air Patrol, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, state, county and local law enforcement and other public safety agencies, and private volunteer organizations. Services include search for missing aircraft, survival aid, rescue, and emergency medical help for the occupants after an accident site is located.

National Search and Rescue Plan. By federal interagency agreement, the National Search and Rescue Plan provides for the effective use of all available facilities in all types of SAR missions. These facilities include aircraft, vessels, pararescue and ground rescue teams, and emergency radio fixing. Under the plan, the U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for the coordination of SAR in the Maritime Region, and the USAF is responsible in the Inland Region. To carry out these responsibilities, the Coast Guard and the Air Force have established Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs) to direct SAR activities within their regions. For aircraft emergencies, distress, and urgency, information normally will be passed to the appropriate RCC through an ARTCC or FSS.

Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers. (See TBL 6-2-2 .) TBL 6-2-6 Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centers

Alameda, CA

510-437-3701

Miami, FL

305-415-6800

Boston, MA

617-223-8555

New Orleans, LA

504-589-6225

Cleveland, OH

216-902-6117

Portsmouth, VA

757-398-6390

Honolulu, HI

808-541-2500

Seattle, WA

206-220-7001

Juneau, AK

907-463-2000

San Juan, PR

787-289-2042

Air Force Rescue Coordination Centers. (See TBL 6-2-3 and TBL 6-2-4 .) TBL 6-2-6 Air Force Rescue Coordination Center 48 Contiguous States Air Force Rescue Coordination Center

Tyndall AFB, Florida

Phone

Commercial

850-283-5955

WATS

800-851-3051

DSN

523-5955

TBL 6-2-6 Air Command Rescue Coordination Center Alaska Alaskan Air Command Rescue

Coordination Center

Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

Phone

Commercial

907-428-7230

800-420-7230

(outside Anchorage)

DSN

317-551-7230

Joint Rescue Coordination Center. (See TBL 6-2-5 .) TBL 6-2-6 Joint Rescue Coordination Center Hawaii Honolulu Joint Rescue Coordination Center

HQ 14th CG District

Honolulu

Phone

Commercial

808-541-2500

DSN

448-0301

Emergency and Overdue Aircraft. ARTCCs and FSSs will alert the SAR system when information is received from any source that an aircraft is in difficulty, overdue, or missing. Radar facilities providing radar flight following or advisories consider the loss of radar and radios, without service termination notice, to be a possible emergency. Pilots receiving VFR services from radar facilities should be aware that SAR may be initiated under these circumstances.

A filed flight plan is the most timely and effective indicator that an aircraft is overdue.Flight plan information is invaluable to SAR forces for search planning and executing search efforts.

Prior to departure on every flight, local or otherwise, someone at the departure point should be advised of your destination and route of flight if other than direct. Search efforts are often wasted and rescue is often delayed because of pilots who thoughtlessly takeoff without telling anyone where they are going. File a flight plan for your safety.

According to the National Search and Rescue Plan, “The life expectancy of an injured survivor decreases as much as 80 percent during the first 24 hours, while the chances of survival of uninjured survivors rapidly diminishes after the first 3 days.”

An Air Force Review of 325 SAR missions conducted during a 23-month period revealed that “Time works against people who experience a distress but are not on a flight plan, since 36 hours normally pass before family concern initiates an (alert).”

VFR Search and Rescue Protection. To receive this valuable protection, file a VFR or DVFR Flight Plan with an FAA FSS. For maximum protection, file only to the point of first intended landing, and refile for each leg to final destination. When a lengthy flight plan is filed, with several stops en route and an ETE to final destination, a mishap could occur on any leg, and unless other information is received, it is probable that no one would start looking for you until 30 minutes after your ETA at your final destination.

If you land at a location other than the intended destination, report the landing to the nearest FAA FSS and advise them of your original destination.

If you land en route and are delayed more than 30 minutes, report this information to the nearest FSS and give them your original destination.

If your ETE changes by 30 minutes or more, report a new ETA to the nearest FSS and give them your original destination. Remember that if you fail to respond within one‐half hour after your ETA at final destination, a search will be started to locate you.

It is important that you close your flight plan IMMEDIATELY AFTER ARRIVAL AT YOUR FINAL DESTINATION WITH THE FSS DESIGNATED WHEN YOUR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. The pilot is responsible for closure of a VFR or DVFR flight plan; they are not closed automatically. This will prevent needless search efforts.

The rapidity of rescue on land or water will depend on how accurately your position may be determined. If a flight plan has been followed and your position is on course, rescue will be expedited.

Survival Equipment. For flight over uninhabited land areas, it is wise to take and know how to use survival equipment for the type of climate and terrain.

If a forced landing occurs at sea, chances for survival are governed by the degree of crew proficiency in emergency procedures and by the availability and effectiveness of water survival equipment.

Body Signal Illustrations. If you are forced down and are able to attract the attention of the pilot of a rescue airplane, the body signals illustrated on these pages can be used to transmit messages to the pilot circling over your location.

Stand in the open when you make the signals.

Be sure the background, as seen from the air, is not confusing.

Go through the motions slowly and repeat each signal until you are positive that the pilot understands you.

Observance of Downed Aircraft. Determine if crash is marked with a yellow cross; if so, the crash has already been reported and identified.

If possible, determine type and number of aircraft and whether there is evidence of survivors.

Fix the position of the crash as accurately as possible with reference to a navigational aid. If possible, provide geographic or physical description of the area to aid ground search parties.

Transmit the information to the nearest FAA or other appropriate radio facility.

If circumstances permit, orbit the scene to guide in other assisting units until their arrival or until you are relieved by another aircraft.

Immediately after landing, make a complete report to the nearest FAA facility, or Air Force or Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center. The report can be made by a long distance collect telephone call. FIG 6-2-6 Ground-Air Visual Code for Use by Survivors

FIG 6-2-6 Ground-Air Visual Code for use by Ground Search Parties

FIG 6-2-6 Urgent Medical Assistance

FIG 6-2-6 All OK

FIG 6-2-6 Short Delay

FIG 6-2-6 Long Delay

FIG 6-2-6 Drop Message

FIG 6-2-6 Receiver Operates

FIG 6-2-6 Do Not Land Here

FIG 6-2-6 Land Here

FIG 6-2-6 Negative (Ground)

FIG 6-2-6 Affirmative (Ground)

FIG 6-2-6 Pick Us Up

FIG 6-2-6 Affirmative (Aircraft)

FIG 6-2-6 Negative (Aircraft)

FIG 6-2-6 Message received and understood (Aircraft)

FIG 6-2-6 Message received and NOT understood (Aircraft)

Previous | Top | Next AIM |

ATPUBS |

FAA |

Send your comments regarding this website.

Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures AIM

AIM by Chapter Number Chapter 0. General Information Chapter 1. Air Navigation Chapter 2. Aeronautical Lighting and Other Airport Visual Aids Chapter 3. Airspace Chapter 4. Air Traffic Control Chapter 5. Air Traffic Procedures Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures Chapter 7. Safety of Flight Chapter 8. Medical Facts for Pilots Chapter 9. Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications Chapter 10. Helicopter Operations Chapter 11. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Appendix 1 Appendix 2 Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5

ATPUBS

AIM by Topic

General Information Explanation of Changes

Air Navigation Navigation Aids

Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) and Area Navigation (RNAV)

Aeronautical Lighting and Other Airport Visual Aids Airport Lighting Aids

Air Navigation and Obstruction Lighting

Airport Marking Aids and Signs

Airspace General

Controlled Airspace

Class G Airspace

Special Use Airspace

Other Airspace Areas

Air Traffic Control Services Available to Pilots

Radio Communications Phraseology and Techniques

Airport Operations

ATC Clearances and Aircraft Separation

Surveillance Systems

Operational Policy/Procedures for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum (RVSM) in the Domestic U.S., Alaska, Offshore Airspace and the San Juan FIR

Operational Policy/Procedures for the Gulf of America 50 NM Lateral Separation Initiative

Air Traffic Procedures Preflight

Departure Procedures

En Route Procedures

Arrival Procedures

Pilot/Controller Roles and Responsibilities

National Security and Interception Procedures

Emergency Procedures General

Emergency Services Available to Pilots

Distress and Urgency Procedures

Two‐way Radio Communications Failure

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Communications

Safety of Flight Meteorology

Barometric Altimeter Errors and Setting Procedures

Cold Temperature Barometric Altimeter Errors, Setting Procedures and Cold Temperature Airports (CTA)

Wake Turbulence

Bird Hazards and Flight Over National Refuges, Parks, and Forests

Potential Flight Hazards

Safety, Accident, and Hazard Reports

Medical Facts for Pilots Fitness for Flight

Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications Types of Charts Available

Helicopter Operations Helicopter IFR Operations

Special Operations

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) General

Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)

Large UAS (MGOW 55 Pounds or More)

Airspace Access for UAS

UAS Pilot Testing, Certification and Responsibilities

Advanced Air Mobility

UAS Operations on Airports

Other Information and Best Practices

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Appendix 5

Emergency Procedures

Distress and Urgency Procedures

Chapter 6. Emergency Procedures

Section 3. Distress and Urgency Procedures