Posted on 04/18/2009 10:14:12 AM PDT by george76
The plane that slammed into a mountainside near Nome in February lacked a voluntary but key piece of equipment that could have sped the rescue of the five passengers and pilot, a federal investigator said last week.
Frontier Flying Service hadn’t removed the plane’s emergency beacon — a type that is no longer being heard by satellites — and replaced it with an updated model, said Jim La Belle, regional director for the National Transportation Safety Board in Alaska.
The Fairbanks airline isn’t alone. Most of the state’s small commercial airlines apparently haven’t updated their equipment, though doing so is relatively inexpensive.
As a result, crash victims face increased danger because rescues might be delayed.
It’s “unconscionable,” he said. “You can crash in the wilds of Alaska and effectively no one will hear you.”
The Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t currently require airlines to install the new beacons, but not having one became a critical issue on Feb. 1.
That’s when international satellites began receiving signals only from beacons broadcasting at 406-megahertz frequency.
The satellites stopped receiving signals from the still-common aviation beacon that sends a 121.5-megahertz signal.
The new beacons give rescuers GPS coordinates to pinpoint their response within a neighborhood-sized or smaller area.
Similar to the beacons the Coast Guard requires on boats, they also provide information identifying the plane, the owner and an emergency contact, which helps prevent costly false alarms common with the outdated beacons.
The difference could be a matter of life and death if a plane goes down in a remote area
(Excerpt) Read more at thebristolbaytimes.com ...
a 406 beacon would have made for a faster rescue
“a 406 beacon would have made for a faster rescue”
First, the would-be beacon has to survive the impact, in this case, slamming into a mountainside. Report seems to be moot on this factor.
IF you fly out of Firbanks - Fly Frontier
http://www.frontierflying.com/contact.html
Founded in 1950 Frontier Flying Service is based in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. The wide spread network of this airline provides efficient service. It offers postal services and commuter services to Alaska bush communities. It also provides charter services. This airline merged with Cape Smythe Air Services in 2005.
Hub
The main hub of Frontier Flying Service is Fairbanks International Airport. The other hubs of this airline are Bethel Airport, Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, and Ted Stevens Anchorage Intercontinental Airport.
Not to be confused with
Frontier Air
Frontier Alaska
Last Frontier Air Ventures
Really - when flyng in Alaska - check the outfits safety records (Call the local FAA office)
You might save yurself a surprise - and maybe even your life.
Thanks.
What about flying into Homer or Valdez ?
You can crash in the wilds of Alaska and effectively no one will hear you.Chances are. Thanks geo.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.