Coroner Cries Out for GPS Tracking
Technology That Aids Air Traffic Needed Around the World
Black Boxes Are Not Enough
Source acquired via New Zealand Herald News, May 27, 2010, New Zealand – Hamilton, New Zealand, coroner Gordon Matenga recently told New Zealand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) that new “flight tracking technology” is greatly needed. Matenga was referencing liquor tycoon Michael Erceg’s 2005 helicopter crash when he told press that installing a GPS tracker inside of all aircraft would lead to less heartache for friends and family of those who die in plane crashes.
Even though flight authorities knew that Erceg’s helicopter had crashed, it took rescue crews fifteen days to find Erceg’s remains. During those fifteen days, Erceg’s friends and family members spent nearly $815,000 searching for Erceg’s body. Even though Erceg’s helicopter was equipped with a locator transmitter, the transmitter was broken during the crash.
Location, not Prevention
Matenga told press that a GPS tracker would not have prevented the crash, but it would have allowed rescue crews to find Erceg’s remains faster. A GPS tracking device would be able to send speed, direction, altitude, and position signals to flight authorities, and every flight would be tracked accurately through the Internet. After hearing Matenga’s testimony, the CAA agreed that a GPS tracking device should be installed in every aircraft.
The CAA also stated that the association has been speaking with various GPS manufacturers, though CAA spokesperson, Bill Sommer, did not state when GPS laws would be put into action. Many people who have private planes and helicopters have already begun to install GPS tracking devices. With the use of a GPS tracking device, rescue crews would be able to reach the site of a plane or helicopter crash quickly.
Quick Rescue and Recovery
In the event that a person survives a plane or helicopter crash, rescue crews would be able to help those people within a very short period of time. As it stands, most crash survivors do not survive a plane crash due to injuries that require immediate attention. The cost of adding a GPS tracking device to any private helicopter or airplane is minimal compared to the cost of searching for the site of a crash.
Michael Erceg’s case is an isolated one, since many people would not have the funds necessary to search for the remains of a loved one for fifteen days. In most instances, crash remains are never discovered. Lynne Erceg (widow of Michael Erceg) is presently helping owners of registered New Zealand aircraft with the costs of setting up a GPS tracking system.
Tags: Black Boxes, Coroner, GPS Tracker, GPS Tracking, GPS Tracking System, New Zealand, rescue and recovery
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