Narrative:

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-left 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.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZME Controller voiced concern regarding a possible missing aircraft and the lack of efforts made to locate the aircraft.

Narrative: 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.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.