Section 2. Overdue Aircraft Action

8-2-1. COMMUNICATIONS SEARCH

a. As soon as a VFR/DVFR aircraft (military or civil) becomes overdue, the destination tie­in facility/sector (including intermediate destination tie­in facilities for military aircraft) must initiate a communications search to locate the aircraft by checking the following:

1. Destination airport

2. Flight plan phone number, if available

3. BASOPS, if applicable

4. Customs, if applicable

5. ATC facilities as applicable

6. DUAT vendor, if applicable

b. If the aircraft has not been located, check the following:

1. Departure airport

2. All airports adjacent to the destination that could accommodate the aircraft

3. Appropriate ARTCC sectors

8-2-2. QALQ

a. If the communications search does not locate the aircraft, and the flight plan is not held by the destination station, transmit a QALQ to the facility/sector that holds the flight plan.

Possible Flight Plan Originators:

KxxxYFYX Flight Service Station/Sector

KxxxYXYX Military BASOPS

KIADXCLX or KMIVXDTC DUAT Vendors

KAISXCLX AISR

NOTE-
QALQ is used to solicit information that is not accessible. If the flight plan information is already available to the destination tie­in facility/sector, QALQ is not required."

b. The QALQ message text must begin with the contraction “QALQ” followed by the aircraft identification.

EXAMPLE-
QALQ N12345

c. If the specialist determines that the communications search cannot be completed prior to the INREQ transmission time, the QALQ must be transmitted in time to receive the information for the INREQ message. The communications search must continue without reference to time until such a time that the aircraft is located, the communications search is complete, or the search is suspended.

d. In the case of a U.S.­registered aircraft, or any aircraft known to be piloted by or transporting U.S. citizens and en route within a foreign country or between two foreign countries, if an overdue report is received either from someone directly concerned or from aviation authorities of a foreign country, notify the Washington Communications Control Center immediately via Service B message addressed to KRWAYAYX.

e. Automated systems will accept properly formatted QALQs, INREQs, ALNOTs, INCERFAs, ALERFAs, and DETRESFAs and place them on the SAR list. A SAR alert may be generated at designated workstations. SAR messages must be deleted from the SAR list when the SAR is cancelled.

8-2-3. ACTION BY DEPARTURE STATION ON RECEIPT OF QALQ

Upon receipt of the QALQ message, the departure tie­in facility must check for any information about the aircraft, and take the following actions:

a. If the aircraft is located, notify the destination facility. This may be delivered via Service B message or recorded communications.

b. If unable to obtain additional information, transmit a message to the destination tie­in facility containing all information not previously sent. Include any verbal or written remarks which could be pertinent to the search.

NOTE-
For operational systems using a common data base, the departure and destination station may be considered the same.

EXAMPLE-
QALQ N4367V
[flight plan information]
[additional pertinent information]

8-2-4. CANCELLATION OF THE QALQ

If the aircraft is located by the destination facility after the QALQ is sent, transmit a cancellation message addressed to all recipients of the QALQ.

EXAMPLE-
QALQ N4367V CNLD