Approximately 98% of all beacon activations in the United States are false alerts. In 2021, ELTs (emergency locator transmitters) accounted for 57%, despite comprising only 17% of the total registered beacons listed on the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) website.
False activations of ELTs can pose challenges for SAR (search and rescue) teams, as limited resources are diverted to respond to non-existent emergencies.
You can help prevent false ELT alerts by doing the following:
If the ELT is accidentally activated, cancel the false alert by calling the U. S. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at 1.800.851.3051 or the nearest Federal Aviation Administration Air Traffic facility and provide the beacon’s hex ID.
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