Section 3. Other Reports and Forms

  1. FAA FORM 7210-8, ELT INCIDENT

In order to expedite the data flow necessary for the accomplishment of the ELT investigations, use FAA Form 7210-8, ELT Incident for coordination with the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) when an ELT signal is heard or reported. (See FIG 9-3-1.)

  1. Form Disposition. Air traffic managers must ensure that forms prepared for ELT incidents which have not been closed must be readily accessible at the operating position responsible for coordinating with the RCC. Forms prepared for an ELT incident which has been closed must be retained for 45days except when filed as part of an incident, an accident, or another case file.
  2. Instructions for completing FAA Form 7210-8. (See FIG 9-3-1.)
  1. Enter the ELT Incident number (#) in the upper right corner of the form.
  2. Initial Notification:
  1. Enter the three‐letter facility identifier followed by the initials of the person completing the form and the time, and the initials of the persons and the time coordinated with in the RCC and the ROC. If the region does not maintain a ROC, the box may be adapted for local application. Enter the date (UTC) the ELT incident number assigned.
  2. If the ELT signal was first heard by an aircraft, or a ground station reported that an aircraft had first heard an ELT signal, circle Acft and enter the ACID. If the signal was first heard by a ground station, circle GRD Station and enter the station ID. If the first report received was from the RCC stating that an ELT signal was being received via Search and Rescue Satellite, circle SARSAT.
  3. If the signal is heard on only one frequency, circle that frequency. If the signal is reported on both VHF and UHF, circle both frequencies.
  4. If no aircraft has been reported overdue, circle UNK. If a known aircraft is overdue, enter the aircraft ID and record the last known position.
  5. Individual Signal Reports: Enter each ELT signal report received from an aircraft or a ground station emanating from the same geographic area until sufficient reports have been received to pinpoint the signal location. If the investigation reveals that more than one ELT is transmitting in the same general area at the same time, it may be necessary to prepare another FAA Form 7210-8 and handle as separate incidents. (See FIG 9-3-1.)
  6. Time Heard: Enter the time (UTC) an aircraft, a ground station, or SARSAT first received the signal.
  7. Location: Enter the location of the aircraft when the signal was first heard.
  8. Altitude: Enter the altitude(s) of the aircraft reporting the signal.
  9. Remarks: Enter any additional information, such as signal strength, which may be pertinent to the incident investigation.
  10. Enter the presumed location of the ELT. This information is the product of the ARTCC investigation.
  1. Additional Notifications/Time (UTC): List any airport managers, base operators, or local police notified and the time of notification. List any other notifications/time, including any ground stations not previously listed on the form.
  2. Incident Termination.
  1. List the date and the location where the ELT was discovered. Check the appropriate category for Military/Civilian and Distress/Nondistress.
  2. If the source of the ELT signal was not discovered, enter an applicable statement describing the reason for investigation termination, such as: “all investigative resources exhausted” or “no additional reports received.” If a more lengthy explanation is required, enter “See Reverse,” and use the Additional Remarks section on the back of the form.
  3. Enter the date (UTC) of the ELT incident closure, followed by the initials of the person recording the closure and the time, and the initials of the persons and the time the closure is coordinated within the RCC and ROC. Enter any other notifications of incident closure by identifying the facility or organization and record the initials and the time.
  1. Additional Remarks: This section, on the back of the form, may be used for overflow information or any information which is too lengthy to be included on the front of the form.

FIG 9-3-1

FAA Form 7210-8

A graphic depicting FAA Form 7210-8, ELT Incident.