RJE International Pinger Receiver System contribution to AirAsia Flight QZ8501 recovery

Retrieval of the victims from the crash site was the primary objective of the recovery effort; however locating the plane''s flight and data recorders, or “Black Box”, was critical in determining the cause of the accident. To assist in locating the “Black Box”, each recorder is equipped with an underwater location beacon similar to RJE International''s ELP-362D Emergency Locator Beacon. These beacons send out an acoustic signal through the water which allows search personnel, using acoustic receivers, to locate the position of the recorders underwater. Using beacon receivers, in this instance the RJE International PRS-275 Pinger Receiver System, divers were able to recover both of the recorders on January 12th.

The recovery of these recorders and the data stored on them will provide much needed clues as to what happened to AirAsia Flt QZ8501 and, more importantly, how to prevent this tragedy from re-occurring. RJE International flight recorder beacons and full line of subsea acoustic receivers stand ready to insure the quick recovery of “Black Boxes” in support of air transportation safety worldwide.