Antennas

During post-flight inspection, cracks were discovered on the ELTs rod antenna, approximately six inches from the base. The #2 GPS lost signal during an RNAV approach, generating a warning on the Garmin G1000. An operator noted it had experienced four-plus failures of the whip antenna installed for the Artex ME406 ELT. Flight experienced en route loss of GPS reception on all four devices, including a GTN 750/650 installation plus two portable WAAS GPS receivers. The GNS 430W indicated no satellite coverage while in flight. A portable GPS also indicated lost coverage.

Key Takeaways:

• Antenna failures are reported across various aircraft systems, including ELT antennas with manufacturing defects or repeated physical separation, and GPS antennas failing due to improper factory installation leading to water intrusion and corrosion.
• A critical issue highlighted is that failing GPS antennas can generate an "oscillation signal" that jams reception for all other nearby GPS receivers, requiring the problematic unit to be turned off to restore functionality to other GPS devices.

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