Article Sidebar

Download
PDF
Statistic
Read Counter : 0 Download : 1

Main Article Content

Abstract

The Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar (MSSR) enables Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to monitor aircraft position, altitude, and identity through transponder interrogation. At a branch of Indonesia's air navigation service provider, aircraft targets disappeared from an ELDIS MSSR display during heavy rain accompanied by lightning, together with an input alarm on the ATC System's System Management Console (SMC). This article analyzes the cause and handling of the disturbance using a descriptive case study comprising field observation, inspection of Local Control and Monitoring System (LCMS) parameters, and root-cause tracing along the radar's electrical path and sensors. The target loss was attributed to a tripped Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection (RCBO) that interrupted the antenna-motor power supply, together with a bad-contact open-door sensor in the antenna shelter; lightning involvement is inferred from timing and was not verified by measurement. Cleaning the sensor and shelter, switching the RCBO back on, and restarting the radar per the service provider's Director's Decree No. KP 35 of 2019 restored stable target display. This single case suggests the importance of adequate lightning protection and grounding in radar installations and of CNS technicians' readiness for systematic electrical troubleshooting to maintain aviation surveillance reliability.


 

Keywords

MSSR radar lightning strike lightning protection open door sensor aviation surveillance reliability

Article Details

References

  1. Ahmad, N. I., Ab-Kadir, M. Z. A., Izadi, M., Azis, N., Radzi, M. A. M., Zaini, N. H., & Nasir, M. S. M. (2018). Lightning protection on photovoltaic systems: A review on current and recommended practices. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 82, 1611-1619. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.008
  2. Al-Duais, F. S., Mohamed, A.-B. A., Jawa, T. M., & Sayed-Ahmed, N. (2022). Optimal periods of conducting preventive maintenance to reduce expected downtime and its impact on improving reliability. Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience, 2022, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7105526
  3. Baxter, P., & Jack, S. (2008). Qualitative case study methodology: Study design and implementation for novice researchers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544-559. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2008.1573
  4. Darni, R., Harisman, Y., Sukma, D., Fitriana, E., Sulistiobudi, R. A., & Herayono, A. (2025). Work readiness in vocational education: Perception and correlation between measurement level and system integration. TEM Journal, 14(2), 1388-1397. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM142-39
  5. Gomes, C., & Diego, A. G. (2011). Lightning protection scenarios of communication tower sites; human hazards and equipment damage. Safety Science, 49(10), 1355-1364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2011.05.006
  6. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. (2015). IEEE guide for safety in AC substation grounding (IEEE Std 80-2013). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/IEEESTD.2015.7109078
  7. International Electrotechnical Commission. (2010). Protection against lightning – Part 1: General principles (IEC 62305-1:2010). IEC. https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/iec/iec62305ed2010
  8. Liang, S., Xu, X., Tao, Z., & Dai, Y. (2013). Harmful effects of lightning surge discharge on communications terminal equipments. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 418, 012043. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/418/1/012043
  9. Lubis, M. R. (2021). Pengaruh On The Job Training (OJT) Flight Operations Officer (FOO) terhadap kesiapan kerja [The influence of On the Job Training (OJT) for Flight Operations Officers (FOO) on work readiness]. SKYHAWK: Jurnal Aviasi Indonesia, 1(2), 85-91. https://doi.org/10.52074/SKYHAWK.V1I2.14
  10. Malanda, S. C., Davidson, I. E., Singh, E., & Buraimoh, E. (2018). Analysis of soil resistivity and its impact on grounding systems design. 2018 IEEE PES/IAS PowerAfrica, 324-329. https://doi.org/10.1109/powerafrica.2018.8520960
  11. Olaganathan, R. (2024). Human factors in aviation maintenance: Understanding errors, management, and technological trends. Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances, 18(2), 92-101. https://doi.org/10.30574/gjeta.2024.18.2.0021
  12. Orlando, V. A. (1989). The Mode S beacon radar system. The Lincoln Laboratory Journal, 2(3), 345-362. https://archive.ll.mit.edu/publications/journal/pdf/vol02_no3/2.3.2.modeSbeacon.pdf
  13. Rakov, V. A., & Uman, M. A. (2003). Lightning: Physics and effects. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107340886
  14. Reason, J. (1990). Human error. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139062367
  15. Roldán-Porta, C., Escrivá-Escrivá, G., Cárcel-Carrasco, F.-J., & Roldán-Blay, C. (2014). Nuisance tripping of residual current circuit breakers: A practical case. Electric Power Systems Research, 106, 180-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2013.07.020
  16. Sarker, M. T., Al Qwaid, M., Hossen, M. S., & Ramasamy, G. (2025). Performance optimization of grounding system for multi-voltage electrical installation. Applied Sciences, 15(15), 8600. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158600
  17. Song, J., Shukla, A., & Probst, R. (2024). The state of health of electrical connectors. Machines, 12(7), 474. https://doi.org/10.3390/machines12070474
  18. Strohmeier, M., Schäfer, M., Lenders, V., & Martinovic, I. (2014). Realities and challenges of NextGen air traffic management: The case of ADS-B. IEEE Communications Magazine, 52(5), 111-118. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCOM.2014.6815901
  19. Ulansky, V., & Raza, A. (2024). A historical survey of corrective and preventive maintenance models with imperfect inspections: Cases of constant and non-constant probabilities of decision making. Aerospace, 11(1), 92. https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace11010092
  20. Yang, K., Xing, H., Wang, Z., & Shi, L. (2026). Research on the coordination of surge protectors in communication power systems. Energies, 19(10), 2454. https://doi.org/10.3390/en19102454
  21. Zhang, C., Sun, C., Ren, W., Liao, Y., Li, M., & Liu, J. (2025). Current-carrying performance degradation mechanisms of outdoors power connectors under external vibrations. Vibration, 8(4), 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/vibration8040077