How long must a communications search fail to locate an aircraft for it to be considered missing?

The determination of an aircraft being classified as missing after a communication search fails is based on established protocols within aviation safety and search and rescue operations. Generally, a failure to establish communication for a period of 30 minutes is regarded as an indicator that the aircraft may be in distress or has encountered a serious problem. This time frame is aligned with standard practices, which aim to provide a balance between timely response and accurate assessment of the situation.

By allowing for a 30-minute communication search, aviation authorities ensure that enough time is allocated to search for signals or make contact with the aircraft before officially declaring it missing. This duration takes into account the various factors that might interrupt communication, such as technical issues or pilot incapacitation. Therefore, once 30 minutes have elapsed without successful communication, a more formal search and rescue operation is initiated, signaling the aircraft's status as missing.