Missing Caravan

[nutlord]

It's recommended that aircraft carry ELTs, but not mandatory.

You're incorrect. CAR 605.38 (1):

https://lois-laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/reg ... l#s-605.38

605.38 (1) Subject to subsection (3), no person shall operate an aircraft unless it is equipped with one or more ELTs in accordance with subsection (2).

Subsection 3 is as follows:

(3) An aircraft may be operated without an ELT on board if the aircraft

(a) is a glider, balloon, airship, ultra-light aeroplane or gyroplane;

(b) is registered under the laws of a contracting state or a state that is a party to an agreement entered into with Canada relating to interstate flying, is equipped with a serviceable emergency beacon that transmits on the 406 MHz frequency with a tested life of at least 24 hours and

(i) has a Class 1 or Class 2 Type Approval Certificate issued by the international search and rescue Cospas-Sarsat Council, and

(ii) is registered with the appropriate authority of the country identified in the coded message transmitted by the emergency beacon;

(c) is operated by the holder of a flight training unit operating certificate, engaged in flight training and operated within 25 nautical miles of the aerodrome of departure;

(d) is engaged in a flight test;

(e) is a new aircraft engaged in flight operations related to manufacture, preparation or delivery of the aircraft;

(f) is operated for the purpose of permitting a person to conduct a parachute descent within 25 nautical miles of the aerodrome of departure; or

(g) is operated in accordance with section 605.39.

The arguments for (and against) carrying an ELT are myriad and have been debated to death on this forum and others. Ultimately it comes down to relying on what is simply antiquated technology with a wholly unreliable activating device - a G-switch, that more often than not will not trigger an ELT in an accident. Often times in an accident sequence the deceleration forces are severe enough to break the retaining/restraining system holding the ELT in place, which if the ELT were to activate tends to render them unable to broadcast as the external antenna will be severed. You'd be lucky if an ELT was reliable in an accident 50% of the time, but the odds tend to be worse than that. It's still not worth leaving home without one, in addition to other trackers if available...

I stand corrected. Thanks for the insight.

[phillyfan]

An ELT can be removed for 30 days when sent for Recertification. Happens annually.

[redlaser]

In one of the news articles it said that the aircraft was located by burn marks on the ground, if the aircraft burned it would explain why the ELT was not transmitting. The other possibility is that the transponder was removed for service which is also legal, The pilot's flight plan would have indicated the latter.

[phillyfan]

This flight would have been Day VFR on a company OFP.

[J31]

In one of the news articles it said that the aircraft was located by burn marks on the ground, if the aircraft burned it would explain why the ELT was not transmitting. The other possibility is that the transponder was removed for service which is also legal, The pilot's flight plan would have indicated the latter.

Rumor mill is the ELT had been removed for maintenance.

[rudder]

Fatalities were two recent CONFED grads (2018/2021). Very sad.

Two young aviators taken far too early. Condolences to family and friends for your loss.

[bcflyer]

Very sad indeed.

[rigpiggy]

Every cars station shou!d have an ads-b repeater. Vast swaths of Canada are not covered including some in the South FFS flightaware was giving them away. Just had to plug into your router. Saved my bacon from possible midairs once or twice.