There is relatively limited public and official information available about the process and outcomes of some searches. It is not an explicit part of the ICAO Annex 13 guidelines for inclusion in an accident investigation report. Similarly there is no Annex 12 requirement to publish or analyse search information. This limits the ability for researchers to determine the factors that help or hinder a search.
The ATSB recommends that ICAO encourages or mandates the publication of relevant information about search, rescue and recovery operations for the benefit of future research.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) acknowledged receipt of the ATSB recommendation.
The ATSB will continue to monitor progress of safety action associated with this safety issue.
The ATSB recommends that ICAO Annex 13 investigation bodies should endeavour to publish relevant information about search, rescue and recovery operations for the benefit of future research.
The ATSB will monitor progress of safety action associated with this safety issue via recommendation AE-2014-054-SR-046.
