Timeline/Response/KL ARCC
Timeline of events involving the Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre
in response to the in-flight diversion of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370
From 05:30 MYT Saturday, 8 March 2014
Search and Rescue
Annex 12 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation Search and Rescue requires that a rescue coordination centre (RCC) be established in each search and rescue region; and each rescue coordination centre is to be staffed 24 hours a day by trained personnel.
In addition to the processes and procedures covered by Annex 12, the operation of an RCC is guided by the three volumes of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue Manual (IAMSAR).
Activation of the Rescue Coordination Centre (Kuala Lumpur)
Duty ATSC Watch Supervisor activated the Kuala Lumpur Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC).
DETRESFA Message
Annex 12 defines three phases of an emergency:-
- Uncertainty phase. A situation wherein uncertainty exists as to the safety of an aircraft and its occupants.
- Alert phase. A situation wherein apprehension exists as to the safety of an aircraft and its occupants.
- Distress phase. A situation wherein there is a reasonable certainty that an aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger and require immediate assistance.
These phases are also referred to by abbreviations: INCERFA, ALERFA and DETRESFA.
By 5:30 am Saturday, 8 March 2014 when the KL-ARCC was activated, Flight MH370 was clearly in the Distress Phase. Annex 12 Section 5 lists actions to be taken and the known details were communicated to various recipients in a DETRESFA Message.
Singapore Aircraft Deployed
Singapore RCC informed KL ARCC that a Hercules aircraft (C-130) would be launched to the search area with clearance from Ho Chi Minh. The Hercules aircraft (C-130) was assigned the radiotelephony callsign as Rescue 71 by Lumpur ARCC.
Other Notifications
Information was also passed to Oil Rig Operators based in the Kota Bharu, Terengganu and Kerteh, on the East coast of Peninsular Malaysia for any possible sighting or reports. This information was also given to helicopters that operate in and out to the oil rig area.
Information was also passed to the Malaysian Control Centre (MCC) for possible reports to police stations (SAR point of contact) throughout the country. The first air SRU to be deployed was RESCUE 101, a Bombardier CL415 from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). A vessel, KM AMANAH also from the MMEA, was redirected to the Last Known Position (LKP) of MH370 to conduct a search.
Source: MH370 Search and Rescue Operations and Lesson Learnt
At 1130 MYT on Saturday, 8 March 2014 a Bombardier CL415 from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) took off and headed to the search area.
Joint Investigation Team Convened
Joint Investigation Team (JIT) based in Malaysia comprising experts and specialist from Malaysia, China, USA, UK and France, and other senior government and academic sources.
Source: MH370 Search and Rescue Operations and Lesson Learnt
The JIT subsequently provided technical advice which informed the selection of search areas.
KL-ARCC Informed of Possible Air Turn-back
The KL ARCC was informed by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) of a possible Air Turn Back by MH370 on 8 March 2014, at 10:30pm (1430 UTC). The RMAF also mentioned that the area towards the West of Peninsular Malaysia was the last known position observed on the military radar. At this stage, the KL ARCC was unable to determine whether MH370 did indeed make an air turn back, and it required further analysis and verification. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the ‘latest’ information received, it was decided that both areas to the East and West of Peninsular Malaysia would be searched, and a large number of assets, aircraft and vessels were deployed to search these areas.
Continued in article Search Timeline.