Aircraft Search Clues
Missing Person Search Clues
Attraction Techniques
Red Wing Composite Squadron
Captain Mari Lucas
Aircraft Search Clues
Searching for a missing aircraft is an
exercise in locating clues that will lead to
the location of the aircraft.
The clues are found by conducting air and
ground search, airfield searches (“ramp
checks”), and witness interviews
Aircraft Search Clues
Unfortunately for searchers, Aircraft that go
missing do not usually land or crash in
empty fields near main roads.
This makes a Ground Team Members job
harder, but not impossible. In the following
slides, you will be trained on the sort of
clues that even Ground Team Members may
be able to spot.
Aircraft Search Clues
Downed aircraft do not usually come down intact
and do not usually even look like aircraft on the
ground.
YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR AN AIRPLANE
YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF AN
AIRPLANE CRASH
Ground Team Members on Aircraft searches in
wilderness areas should look for the following:
Aircraft Search Clues
► Changes
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in Terrain
Broken or disturbed trees and underbrush
Landslides
Horsetails caused by windblown snow or sand
Breaks in terrain
Blackened or discolored areas
Smoke
Presence of scavengers (vultures, wolves)
Aircraft Search Clues
► Smells
 Smoke
 Decomposition odors
 Fuel, oil, or brake fluid
► Signs
of Aircraft
 Pieces of wreckage (twisted metal, seats, etc.)
 Fuel, oil, or brake fluid
Aircraft Search Clues
► Signs
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of the Pilot/Passengers
Bits of clothing or personal effects
Trail markings
Footprints
Campfires
Garbage
Signals (mirrors, etc)
► Unusual
sounds (voices, creaking metal)
Aircraft Search Clues
YOU ARE NOT LOOKING FOR AN
AIRPLANE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
SIGNS OF AN AIRPLANE CRASH
Recognition and detection of clues to the
aircraft location is critical.
Missing Person Search Clues
Searching for a missing person is an
exercise in locating clues that will lead you
to the location of the individual or group.
These clues are found by conducting ground
searches, air searches, and witness
interviews.
Missing Person Search Clues
Unfortunately for searchers, Aircraft that go
missing are usually flown by a pilot and often
carry passengers. These people do not always
stay with the aircraft. Once the aircraft is located,
it is often not the end of the Searching activities.
Also, CAP Ground Teams are often asked by local
law enforcement to help out with searches for
people who are lost (often children and the
elderly)
Missing Person Search Clues
Missing people are considered to be clue
generators. Rarely can any person travel through
or be in the woods without leaving sign of their
passage.
DO NOT LOOK FOR THE MISSING PERSON, LOOK
FOR THE SIGNS THAT LEAD YOU TO THEM.
Ground Team Members on searches in wilderness
areas should look for the following:
Missing Person Search Clues
► Physical
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Clues
Pieces of clothing or equipment
Smoke, by sight or smell
Food wrappers or trash, cigarette butts
Broken or disturbed trees and underbrush
Presence of Scavengers (vultures, wolves, etc.)
Signs of human passage or occupation
Decomposition odors
Missing Person Search Clues
► Recorded
Clues
 Trail registers
 Sign-in logs
► People
 Witnesses
 Family and friends
► Events
 Signals
 Falling rocks
 Unusual noise
Missing Person Search Clues
DO NOT LOOK FOR THE MISSING
PERSON, LOOK FOR THE SIGNS THAT
LEAD YOU TO THEM.
Clue-consciousness on the team member’s
part is critical
Attraction Techniques
As you are looking for a missing person, it is
important to keep in mind that the person
or the people that you are looking for may
be looking for you as well.
You want to make it easy for the missing
persons to find YOU.
Attraction Techniques
If the target of a search is conscious, it is
advantageous to let the target know that
you are in the area. That way, even if you
don’t spot him, he may signal you.
This is done by conducting attraction tasks –
basically being visible and easily heard.
Stealth is not a good thing in a search line.
Attraction Techniques
You will still need moments of silence when
you listen for your targets response.
By day, noise is the primary attraction.
At night, noise and light are effective.
Attraction Techniques
► Sound
Attraction Techniques
(usable day or night)
 Shouting out the target’s name (make sure it
has been released by the Public Affairs Officer
first)
 Honking vehicle horns during route searches
 Use of public address system
Attraction Techniques
► More
Sound Attraction Techniques
(usable day or night)
 The ‘Sound Sweep’
►On
command from the team leader, the team halts
and all members blow their whistles for 15 seconds
►After blowing the whistle, the team remains
stationary and silent for one minute listening for a
response.
Attraction Techniques
► Light
Attraction Techniques
(usable at night)
 Building a bonfire (when stationary for long
periods)
 Hanging light sticks in the trees (when
stationary). Be sure to collect them when you
leave.
 Shining Flashlights. Avoid blinding team
members. If you are searching without lights,
use a red or blue lens for an attraction light (to
avoid night blindness)
Attraction Techniques
► More
Light Attraction Techniques
(usable at night)
 Car headlights during vehicle searches
 Hanging signs that direct the lost person
towards your camp or base
Take out your paper and pencils
Write your name at the top of the page
Answer the following questions concerning
the training that you have just received
You are on a missing aircraft search, list
eight clues to aircraft crash locations.
You are on a missing person search, identify
eight missing person search clues
Identify three day and three night attraction
techniques, describe their use.
THE END