National Radar Analysis Team (NRAT)
Main Content

Mission 21-M-0581



NRAT Mission - 21-M-0581

Date:  20 Nov 2021  /  2100Z

Narrative:  The pilot and passenger of a Cessna 172M were en route to Grants, NM (GNT), on a VFR flight with ATC flight following, when they declared an emergency with electrical and engine issues.  Contact was lost and an FAA Alert Notification (ALNOT) was issued and AFRCC activated the NRAT team. NRAT performed analysis and in 7 minutes, passed the last radar hit and direction of flight to AFRCC.  NRAT will pass coordinates in chat to AFRCC and then produce products, which takes a little longer. In the last portion of the flight, the aircraft lost its transponder and became a "Search Only" track. The crash site was found very near the predicted location.  The aircraft made a crashed landing on a road and the two occupants were successfully rescued.

Time from Activation to First Product:  7 Minutes

AFRCC Find:  Yes

AFRCC Save:  Yes

© 2026 Civil Air Patrol. All rights reserved.
×