Baron 55/Cochise
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Human Factors; Procedure
Overdue aircraft that did not receive timely attention; a BE55/A flight plan showed up as overdue in CCLD (Core Capability Limited Deployment); and was highlighted in SAA as it should be. ZME checked back to ZTL to find out the status; ZTL MGM-L seemed unconcerned because it was 'not showing overdue in' their 'system'; the aircraft's flight plan was already estimated to have progressed through ZTL airspace and entered ZME. That's why it no longer showed overdue on their CCLD; they missed their opportunity to take action when it was overdue in their airspace. ZME reiterated the need to find the aircraft. Almost two hours later; we finally received word that the aircraft was on the ground. Evidently the flight plan had slowly progressed Puerto Rico; the Gulf; Florida and the Mid South states before anyone took action. During this time there was much severe weather along the aircraft's projected route of flight; it seems he could have easily crashed without anyone looking for him. A critical first step to caring for someone under your responsibility is to recognize when they are not there. Although CCLD has exhibited shortcomings; it does a rather good job of highlighting overdue aircraft; competent controllers must take effective measures when that notification is made. Once the situation is known; the flight plan must be amended or removed to reflect the situation appropriately. There is no room for apathy in our Agency.
ZME Controller voiced concern regarding a possible missing aircraft and the lack of efforts made to locate the aircraft.