Plane missing in Antarctica

[bizjets101]

Just Note; above post Press Statement was released Jan 25 14:30 EST Toronto time.

[BTyyj]

New Zealand SAR update 1930z: http://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/news/medi ... 30126a.asp

Twin Otter has been dispatched to set up campsite 50km from where KBA crew are located. Weather forecasted to improve as day progresses, allowing two helicopters to initiate SAR.

All the best to those involved.

[Johnny#5]

Here's an early shout-out to the rescuers....stay safe!

[costermonger]

My F5 key is taking a beating today.

[bizjets101]

Current time 15:41 Friday Toronto time, 09:41 Saturday morning at downed aircraft's location.
Note; 24 hours of sunlight in Antarctica this time of year.

Yesterday a Kenn Borek Twin Otter flew from McMurdo station click here (webcam)and flew over the site, but visibility was down to 400m and the snow was almost horizontal with winds blowing about 37km/h. McMurdo Station Pegasus Field

This morning (now) New Zealand time, aircraft is en route from Darwin Glacier to Beardmore Glacier approx. 50 km from downed aircraft site.

Once the base is set up, the two helicopters will fly from McMurdo Station to Beardmore Glacier Base.

[DougRonan]

I'm with all of you - I have been on the edge of my seat since I saw the first news report of the missing Twin Otter - I have known the AME that is in the airplane with Bob very well since he was a teenager - he was a co op student in my shop back when he was in high school around 1995 - he's had a very successfull career since - he loves working of Kenn Borek - loves going to the Antarctic - and by what I've heard about Bob in the last few days - I would imagine they've been having a blast working together!!

I wish them the best and I can't wait to here them recount this adventure!!

[cienki]

I'm praying for the weather to lift and for SAR to get in there soon and find everyone in good shape. Like everyone else I've been glued to this thread and the news.

[Panama Jack]

Wow, I have been away from AvCanada for the last few days and just found out about this.

I have never met Bob but have always appreciated Just Curious' posts.

My fingers are crossed that we will be reading good news in the next few hours and that Just Curious will be giving those of us who will be more than curious about his ordeal.

Wishing for a safe return!

[Edo]

Still pulling for you guys...keep warm and get home safe

http://www.globalnews.ca/calgary+man+am ... story.html

CALGARY- Family members have confirmed a Calgary man was the co-pilot on a small plane that went missing in Antarctica earlier this week.

25-year-old Mike Denton left before Christmas, and his family says he was due home in just days.

Denton, along with veteran pilot Bob Heath and another Canadian have not been heard from since the Twin Otter they were in vanished near the south pole Tuesday, Alberta time. (story continues with link)

Read it on Global News: Global News | Calgary man among passengers on missing plane in Antarctica

[helidriver]

I've been a long time reader but never posted. I registered so I could express my best wishes and prayers for Bob and his crew.

As 6 pages of people before me have expressed, there is still good reason for having a strong hope of the best possible outcome. All my positive energy is going towards visualizing the missing crew safe, happy to see their ride home, and looking forward to a good meal/sleep.

Prayers also for an extended period of good wx for the rescue, safety for the rescuers, and plenty of good luck for everyone at every turn.

May it help the families of the crew to know that so many people are still hopeful and pulling for them.

[Rudder Bug]

exactly.

+1

I am hooked here since the morning and it hurts to see such negative comments.

I am confident they WILL come back with a heck of a story.

RB

[aviate_77]

Bob has to be one of the smartest individuals I've ever met. He knows his stuff, simple as that. He has been studying emergencies and analyzing situations for years, and theres no doubt in my mind that he made the absolute best decision(s) during the flight. If there was a problem with the plane, Bob knew the best way to handle it. Even if that means a forced landing on the side of a mountain in antarctica.

good luck boys,

stay strong.

[Changes in Latitudes]

Getting closer!!

26 January 2013, 1.30pm

A Twin Otter aircraft has landed at the Beardmore Glacier, Antarctica, about 50km away from the site of a beacon activated by a missing aircraft, also a Twin Otter, at 10pm on Wednesday night (NZ time).

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is coordinating the search and rescue mission, working with United States and Canadian authorities. No visual sightings of the missing aircraft have been possible since the beacon activation, due to low cloud in the area.

RCCNZ Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Tracy Brickles said the intention was to set up a forward base at the Beardmore Glacier location. Two helicopters, including a Southern Lakes helicopter on contract to Scott Base, are en route and expected to arrive at around 4pm (NZ time).
.
A C-130 Hercules aircraft is circling the beacon activation site, also attempting to make visual contact, and will then land with supplies at the Beardmore Glacier site. A DC3 aircraft carrying further supplies is also en route.

The beacon activation site is at a height of 3,900m (13,000 feet) at the northern end of the Queen Alexandra Range, within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Region – halfway between the South Pole and McMurdo Station (approximately 680km or 370 nautical miles in each direction).

The crew of the missing aircraft are understood to have survival equipment and sufficient food supplies for five days.

[North Shore]

WRT Satellite Phones - can anyone 'in the know' say if there's 100% satellite coverage over Antarctica? Is it conceivable that if they are on the 'wrong' side of the mountain, then the phone would not work due to lack of coverage?

[squawk]

Thoughts and Prayers for the Crew. Click on attached "Bush Pilot Song" By Dave Hadfield. Top Right. Makes me think of Bob and Crew. God Speed!

http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/DAVE-HADFIELD

[Changes in Latitudes]

Thoughts and Prayers for the Crew. Click on attached "Bush Pilot Song" By Dave Hadfield. Top Right. Makes me think of Bob and Crew. God Speed!

http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/DAVE-HADFIELD

Very classy, well done with that post. Thanks for it.

[2R]

http://maritimenz.govt.nz/News/Latest-media.asp

Link for updates.

[magic wand]

WRT Satellite Phones - can anyone 'in the know' say if there's 100% satellite coverage over Antarctica? Is it conceivable that if they are on the 'wrong' side of the mountain, then the phone would not work due to lack of coverage?

Hoping for the best.
My experience with on board sat tracking is that it pretty well works off of the same system as the phone.
One could safely assume if the tracking was working the sat phone would work.

[toelessjoe]

I've never met Bob but I pm'd him earlier today. It'll feel pretty good when that last message goes from the 'outbox' to the 'sent messages' bin.

Cheers,


Toeless.

[Siddley Hawker]

North Shore I was talking to our mutual friend in Gimli last night - who has a great deal of experience down there - and he posed the same question you have. I didn't have an answer. He is also of the opinion that if the airplane didn't fly into a mountain, the guys are ok. Hope to hell he's right.

[Lost in Saigon]

Does anyone know the actual Lat and long? The reports all say "the north end of the Queen Alexandra Range at an altitude of 13,000 feet" but from what I can see the high terrain is at the South end of Queen Alexandra Range.

New Update:

26 January 2013, 8.30am

Efforts to locate three Canadians who’ve gone missing during a flight from the South Pole to Terra Nova Bay in Antarctica will continue today, as weather conditions improve.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is coordinating the search, working with United States and Canadian authorities, after the missing Twin Otter aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter was activated at about 10pm on Wednesday, 23 January.

A Twin Otter aircraft is scheduled to fly from the Darwin glacier area this morning to Beardmore glacier base, which is about 50km away from where the emergency beacon was transmitting, to set up camp. As soon as the weather clears, two helicopters based at McMurdo station will be flown to the camp to undertake an aerial search for the missing plane.

Despite several planes searching for the aircraft since the beacon was activated on Wednesday night at 10pm no visual sightings have been possible due to poor visibility and snow.

The location is at a height of 3,900m (13,000 feet) at the northern end of the Queen Alexandra Range, within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Region – halfway between the South Pole and McMurdo Station (approximately 680km or 370 nautical miles in each direction).

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said the crew of the missing aircraft have survival equipment and are well trained for the harsh environment.

An update on the search and rescue effort will be provided on the Maritime New Zealand website as soon as there are any further developments.

[Rowdy]

WRT Satellite Phones - can anyone 'in the know' say if there's 100% satellite coverage over Antarctica? Is it conceivable that if they are on the 'wrong' side of the mountain, then the phone would not work due to lack of coverage?

Could be. I've had reception issues on the coast when in the lee side of a hill with the satcom in the twin otter, on a day of good coverage! Also, as they are panel mounted, an electrical fault or failure could be attributed to the lack of communication as well. There are many many survivable scenarios. I'm still of the belief that Those three gents are sitting there telling stories in the tent waiting for the arrival of some help.

[xsever]

Does anyone know the actual Lat and long? The reports all say "the north end of the Queen Alexandra Range at an altitude of 13,000 feet" but from what I can see the high terrain is at the South end of Queen Alexandra Range.

Lat and Long can be found here: http://avherald.com/h?article=45cad699&opt=0

[meflypretty]

Google maps doesn't give a lot of resolution but I see lots of surviveable terrain.

[bizjets101]

Note; it is now just after 10pm Toronto time, which means it is just after 4pm Saturday afternoon in the rescue theatre. Both helicopters and Alpine rescue crew should be at the base camp.

A reminder that it is 24 hours of daylight in Antarctica this time of year.

Bob and crew will be on my mind tonight, I hope for a very positive outcome - rescuers are close by now, and just need that window of opportunity to get in there.

Goodspeed Bob - hope you and your crew are well covered, warm and awaiting a safe return.

Rob Reid
Toronto

I've heard the area described as a reverse Grand Canyon.