A new ATSB report examines the effectiveness of emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) and reveals how pilots can increase their chances of being rescued after an aviation accident.
ELTs are radio beacons carried in most aircraft to help search and rescue authorities quickly locate an aircraft following an accident. However, data from the ATSB occurrence database shows that ELTs are only functioning as intended in about 40 to 60 per cent of accidents.
The report reveals that pilots and operators of general aviation and low-capacity aircraft cannot rely on a fixed fuselage-mounted ELT to activate when required. Also, carrying a personal locator beacon will most likely only be beneficial to safety if it is carried on the person, rather than being fixed or stowed elsewhere in the aircraft. Additionally, the effectiveness of ELTs in increasing occupant safety and assisting search and rescue authorities' efforts may be enhanced by:
- using a GPS-enabled ELT
- using an ELT with a newer 3-axis g-switch
- ensuring the ELT is installed correctly
- ensuring the beacon is registered with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
- pre-emptively activating the beacon if a forced landing or ditching is imminent.
Despite these concerns, the report shows data from the AMSA Search and Rescue incident database, indicating that ELT activations have been directly responsible for saving an average of four lives per year.
Read the ATSB research report: AR-2012-128 A review of the effectiveness of emergency locator transmitters in aviation accidents