SAR phases and code words
SAR phases (AC 100-001 glossary):
| Phase | ICAO code word | Trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertainty | INCERFA | No call 30 min after due (Canada) |
| Uncertainty | INCERFA | Unfiled arrival report (see When an aircraft is overdue) |
| Alert | ALERFA | Communication search failed after uncertainty |
| Alert | ALERFA | Cleared aircraft not landed 5 min after estimated landing time and no radio contact |
| Alert | ALERFA | Efficiency impaired, forced landing not likely |
| Distress | DETRESFA | Fuel exhausted or too low to land safely |
| Distress | DETRESFA | Efficiency impaired, forced landing likely |
| Distress | DETRESFA | Forced landing about to be made or made |
- Emergency phase: generic term for all three.
- INCERFA not used in Canada (AIP Canada GEN 1.7).
Trap: uncertainty starts 30 min after a missed call, or when a filed flight plan has no arrival report within 1 hr after latest ETA (AC 100-001 glossary); not the alert phase.
References
- AC 100-001 glossary (uncertainty, alert, distress, emergency phase)
- NAV CANADA AIP GEN (INCERFA code word)