EASA SIB 2020-20: Automatic Deployable Emergency Locator Transmitters / Crash Position Indicators

What to do

Organizations should report any unintended deployments or ELT(AD) malfunctions, excluding those caused by mishandling, to the competent authority and the equipment manufacturers using the provided reporting form or an equivalent. They must download equipment data before reactivation, coordinate maintenance investigations with manufacturers and certificate holders, and update reports with new findings. Type Certificate and Supplemental Type Certificate holders, as well as manufacturers, should maintain and monitor databases of reported occurrences to track failure rates and inform authorities regularly.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2020-20 addresses Automatic Deployable Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT(AD)) or Crash Position Indicators primarily installed on helicopters operating over water, especially in hostile environments such as offshore operations. The bulletin highlights a high rate of failures, including unintended deployments and transmissions, and emphasizes the need for proper reporting of these occurrences to manufacturers, Type Certificate holders, and competent authorities. It provides guidance on data retrieval, investigation, and reporting to improve safety and equipment reliability.

What changed

This SIB introduces recommendations to improve the reporting and analysis of ELT(AD) malfunctions and failures, including unintended deployments and spurious transmissions. It encourages operators and maintenance organizations to report all relevant occurrences using a standardized form and to coordinate with manufacturers and certificate holders for thorough investigations. It does not mandate regulatory changes but promotes enhanced data collection and monitoring.

Why it matters

The bulletin is important for aviation professionals because ELT(AD) failures can lead to false alerts or failure to transmit emergency signals, impacting search and rescue operations. Proper reporting and investigation help identify root causes and prevent recurrence, enhancing flight safety and compliance with Regulation (EU) 965/2012. Operators, MROs, and compliance teams benefit from clear guidance on managing ELT(AD) issues and maintaining airworthiness standards.