The invention discloses a stepping inquiry-response locating system for a flight data recorder. The stepping inquiry-response locating system comprises a flight data recorder (FDR) airborne triones locating device and a ground mobile searching and locating device, wherein the FDR airborne triones locating device is installed in the flight data recorder; and the ground mobile searching and locating device is installed in a mobile ground station for search and rescue. The stepping inquiry-response locating system for the flight data recorder adopts a triones navigating and locating system, an inquiry-response mode and a multi-point locating system, and transmits a radio data packet which contains an identification code and position coordinates and has a designated response signal frequency,a searching and locating method comprises a mutual corroborating mode of the position coordinates of a cooperative and related locating algorithm, so research and rescue personnel can quickly find the flight data recorder of a wrecked airplane according to the received triones coordinate information and designated frequency, accordingly, the purpose of quickly finding an object is realized, a great deal of manpower, resources, financial resources and time can be saved, and the rescue efficiency is improved.