Absturzalarm

Absturzalarm is a term used in German-speaking contexts to refer to a crash alert associated with an aircraft, indicating that a crash or serious accident has occurred or is imminent. The expression is closely related to the more common variant Absturzalarm, and both describe a notification and the corresponding mobilization of emergency response resources. In practice, the phrase denotes the activation of procedures that alert authorities, rescue services, and aviation authorities to a potential or actual air-crash incident.

The word is formed from Absturz (crash) and Alarm (alarm). While Absturzalarm is the standard spelling in many official documents, Absturzalarm appears in some public or journalistic uses. The concept encompasses both automatic alerts generated by onboard systems and human-initiated distress calls, encompassing various signaling methods used to trigger a coordinated response.

Typical mechanisms involved include emergency locator transmitters on aircraft (ELTs) and satellite distress beacons operating on designated frequencies, as well as data transmissions from cockpit or air traffic control when a crash is suspected. Upon activation, national or regional rescue coordination centers issue the alarm to fire services, medical teams, police, and air- and ground-based search-and-rescue units to commence deployment and recovery operations.

In German-speaking countries, absturz- or absturzalarm procedures are integrated into national aviation safety frameworks and emergency response protocols, and they are referenced in aviation manuals, safety guidelines, and incident reports. The term is part of the broader system of crash notification and emergency signaling that underpins search-and-rescue efforts in aviation.

See also: distress signal, mayday, emergency locator beacon, ELT, search and rescue.