Why Does a Flight Disappear From the Tracking Map?
A flight usually disappears from a tracker because no receiver is hearing it, not because it has gone missing. The most common causes are coverage gaps, low altitude, a transponder that is off or not working, and data delays.
The usual reasons
- No receiver in range. Ground receivers hear aircraft only in line of sight. Over sea, deserts and mountains there may be none.
- Low altitude. Aircraft near the ground are hidden by hills and buildings, so you may lose a plane as it descends or climbs.
- Transponder off or in standby. Some aircraft turn transponders off on the ground or in some operations.
- Aircraft not equipped. Some aircraft do not transmit ADS-B.
- Filtering. Some aircraft are hidden on request. See why some aircraft are hidden.
- Data delay or timeout. Many trackers remove an aircraft after a minute or more without an update.
What it does not mean
A flight disappearing from a public tracker does not mean it has crashed or been lost. Air traffic control tracks it with radar and other systems. See primary vs secondary radar.
What to do
- Check later: the aircraft often reappears when it comes into range again.
- Check the airline’s flight status.
- For a flight on its way to you, remember the plane may be out of coverage over a remote area even if everything is normal.
General information only, not legal or safety advice. Details change; check with your airline and the relevant authority. See our editorial policy.