The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 41 06.0N 113 02.0W, 49 NM northwest of Salt Lake City Utah. An F-16 of the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base (AFB) crashed in a remote area of the Utah desert. The pilot was able to radio Hill AFB before safely ejecting. The PLB was automatically activated upon the pilot's ejection. Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) received the SARSAT alert andcontacted Hill AFB. Hill AFB correlated the crash with the alert. AFRCC provided Hill AFB with SARSAT coordinates. Hill AFB dispatched a helicopter to the SARSAT coordinates. The helicopter located and rescued the pilot.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
May 3
Location:
Approx. 170 NM southwest of Odessa, TX, in Big Bend National Park
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 29 13.3N 103 14.8W, in Big Bend National Park approximately, 170 NM southwest of Odessa, TX. The owner of the PLB activated her beacon after becoming ill while hiking. The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) received the alert and contacted an individual listed on the registration. The individual reported to AFRCC that the solo hiker was hiking at Big Bend National Park. The individual then called the National Park Service Center as a precaution. AFRCC contacted the National Park Service Center and were informed they had already been notified by the individual and they were working the case. AFRCC provided the SARSAT coordinates to help locate the hiker. The National Park Service Center located the hiker and released her to park service medics for further medical attention.
One SARSAT rescue.
Date:
May 3
Location:
Approx. 43 NM southeast of Barrow, AK
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 70 39.9 N 155 31.0 W, approximately 43 NM southeast of Barrow, AK. Two snow machines carrying two people in each vehicle became disabled. They activated the PLB and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (AKRCC) received an alert from SARSAT. AKRCC contacted North Slope Borough (NSB) and relayed the distress and coordinates. NSB contacted the nearby village, Point Barrow, and a volunteer responded. The volunteer went to the SARSAT position in a snow machine and rescues all four people in distress. No injuries were reported.
Four SARSAT rescues.
Date:
May 1
Location:
Approx. 45 NM east-southeast of Wilmington, NC
Description of Rescue:
The COSPAS-SARSAT system detected a 406 MHz PLB at 33 59.8N 76 57.8W, 45 NM east-southeast of Wilmington, NC. The Pleasure craft Will-O-Be radioed the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center, when one of their divers did not return at the expected time. The 60 year old male diver had been under 25 minutes longer than planned. Sector North Carolina Command Center issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and contacted Coast Guard District 5 Norfolk (CGD5) RCC, to brief them on the situation. While on the phone with the Sector North Carolina, CGD5 received the PLB alert from SARSAT. CGD5 passed the SARSAT coordinates to Sector North Carolina Command Center, who then forwarded them on to the Will-O-Be. The Will-O-Be used the SARSAT coordinates to locate and rescue the lost diver. No further assistance was required.
