Plane missing in Antarctica

[Shiny Side Up]

Just managed to get a minute to check this morning and see this terrible news. Godspeed JC.

Let the sweet fresh breezes heal me
As they rove around the girth
Of our lovely mother planet
Of the cool, green hills of Earth.

We've tried each spinning space mote
And reckoned its true worth:
Take us back again to the homes of men
On the cool, green hills of Earth.

The arching sky is calling
Spacemen back to their trade.
ALL HANDS! STAND BY! FREE FALLING!
And the lights below us fade.

Out ride the sons of Terra,
Far drives the thundering jet,
Up leaps a race of Earthmen,
Out, far, and onward yet ---

We pray for one last landing
On the globe that gave us birth;
Let us rest our eyes on the fleecy skies
And the cool, green hills of Earth.


~Robert A. Heinlein

[shawn085]

Very sad news. I new the third guy in the back. Worked with him for year on the west coast. A great guy. He will be missed.

[amraam]

My thoughts and prayers to the families of Bob, Mike and Perry. To the family of KBA, my thoughts and prayers to you and your families as well. The people who I've been able to work with over there are some of the nicest people in the industry.

Bob obviously touched many, many people. It is very sad we've lost one of the best.

amraam

[iflyforpie]

Really sad news. My condolences to all affected.

[Youngback]

If there is one thing that we can take away from all of this, it is that we should all try and be a bit more like Bob. He took the time to help a lot of us out. Spent hours talking to people, some that he'd never met, trying to put people on the right track. Most people wouldn't give us the time of day then if we'd asked. A few would. Bob was one. He always went above and beyond. The best way I think to honour Bob's memory would be to take the time ourselves, pay it forward and try and help out other aviators. Those with no experience, those with a lot of experience and everything in between. Families help each other out. Why should all of us in aviation be considered anything different. If nothing else, Bob would like that.

This isn't to belittle the contributions of Mike and Perry. Quite the opposite. I'm very shocked about this as all of you are and trying to think of ways of honouring the memory of all 3 of the crew. Something in the way of a bursary or trust. Just an idea. Something that those of us in the industry could continue to benefit from over the years ahead.

Special thanks to Rowdy for saying exactly what I was thinking and couldn't put into written word.

[Aft CofG]

I'd known Bob for many years. Although we'd never worked at the same company at the same time, our paths kept crossing. Bob was a true gentleman, a true aviator, and one of the most truly genuine people I've ever met. The experiences and knowledge he shared with everyone he met was impressive and invaluable.

Thank you Bob, for all the lives you've touched and improved.

Blue skies, Bob.

[Rowdy]

For those that want another glimpse into the great character that was Bob.. A pinch of adventure, a dash of humour and an epic journey... Heres a look back to 2006's post Crossing the drake

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... +the+drake

[jd896]

Can anyone suggest what caused this crash?

[cdnpilot77]

Can anyone suggest what caused this crash?

I would suggest starting a new thread if you wish to raise that question. This crash was very personal for a lot of people and arm chair quarterbacks will not be appreciated by many.

[KAG]

Can anyone suggest what caused this crash?

Assuming your not a troll, this is NOT the time/place for that.

[sky's the limit]

Please feel free to start a "Cause" thread, but let's keep this one speculation free please.

[fleet16b]

Guys
I never knew Bob or any of his crew but from the responses on this thread he was obviously a great guy and well respected. It has been inspiring to follow this thread and see how the aviation community comes together for some of its own.
When I first learned that the news had turn tragic and read the initial reports, this came to mind.

For Bob and his Crew -

Any coward can sit in his home and criticize a pilot for flying into a mountain in a fog. But I would rather, by far, die on a mountainside than in bed. What kind of man would live where there is no daring? And is life so dear that we should blame men for dying in adventure? Is there a better way to die?
--Charles Lindbergh

[amraam]

All three crew members have been identified in the following news article:

http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/tsb-investi ... -1.1130533

amraam

[Lost Lake]

Please feel free to start a "Cause" thread, but let's keep this one speculation free please.

+1

[captcrunch2013]

OK, Where do we start the cause thread?

Edit:

Speculation/Discussion Thread: http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 18&t=86802

[oldncold]

wondering the MODS could take jc avatar, blow it up into three high quality pic's. Have all that known bob and the other crew sign and present it to the families as a sign of appreciation and respect. On behalf of all the av canada family // maybe rowdy you could co-ordinate it . As I posted at the start of this thread Bob showed me several things that kept me safe flying into north of 66lat . very few guys flying at his stage of life with m.b.a and gads dhc-6hours.

thx mr Bob Heath and those young aviators. engineers , May the families find peace in knowing they were doing something the loved and passion for. They did not pass from this world hooked up to a million tubes waiting . I will gladly donate to a trust fund.

John Gillespe jr . ' Ive slipped the surly bonds of earth . ... you sure did, you sure did guys

[Rowdy]

Something fitting of the sort should be done. He was a great moderator, pilot, teacher and mentor. Perhaps a bunch of us on Avcan here can pull together like oldncold mentioned and present his wife with an appropriate tribute to the man we all cherished and respected. I'm not much in the ways of a graphic designer.. but i could certainly try and organize something with a little help !

It warmed my heart when a fellow pilot (and ex-avcanada poster) printed off the entire thread of well wishes and brought it to me in the hospital. Something similar maybe?

[Rudder Bug]

You're coming up with something. Go Rowdy go!

Gilles

[aileron]

To the family, friends and colleagues of the crew lost in Antarctica my heart goes out to you...

Just Curious, Bob, I did not know you in the flesh but your posts here on AvCanada reverberated like an old friend - I will miss you.

[sky's the limit]

The latest:

The search and rescue mission involving a Twin Otter aircraft missing in Antarctica since Wednesday with three crew on board has moved into a recovery phase, after wreckage of the plane was located on Saturday.

The aircraft wreckage is on a very steep slope, close to the summit of Mt Elizabeth at the northern end of the Queen Alexandra Range – halfway between the South Pole and McMurdo Station (approximately 680km or 370 nautical miles in each direction). It appears to have made a direct impact that was not survivable.

No details are available on the cause of the crash.

The next of kin have been informed.

Two helicopters, including a Southern Lakes helicopter on contract to Scott Base, reached the site at around 7.15pm (NZ time) yesterday, after travelling from McMurdo Base to a forward base at Beardmore Glacier, about 50km from the crash site. They were able to survey the site briefly and identify the plane wreckage.

The Unified Incident Command, a joint United States Antarctica Programme and Antarctica New Zealand incident management unit, is now leading the recovery effort.

The unit is currently planning its approach to the recovery mission, which is expected to be a difficult undertaking due to the remote and difficult access to the site of the crash, at a height of 3,900m (13,000 feet). Weather conditions in the area are currently good, with light winds and scattered cloud.

The intention is to return the men’s bodies to New Zealand and, from there, repatriate them to Canada.

RCCNZ Operations Manager John Seward said all those involved had worked hard on the rescue mission in challenging conditions since Wednesday and it had been a real team effort. He said hopes were held throughout the operation for a positive outcome for the three Canadians, who were very experienced and well-resourced.

RCCNZ’s thoughts are with the families of the crew.

NOTE TO MEDIA:
The timing of the recovery operation is dependent on conditions. An update will only be issued when this operation has been carried out. We appreciate the desire for information, but repeated requests for updates can add unnecessarily to the burden on operational staff.

[jschnurr]

An accident a world away hits home in a way only a pilot can understand. I never knew Bob, but he sounds like one great pilot and friend.

RIP

[Castorero]

I am so sad to hear this news. I was sure hoping for a better outcome.
I send my sincerest condolences to the family and close friends of Bob, Mike and Perry.

Like some of you, I did not know these fine men personally. Through your remembrances I have come to know Bob a little bit more.
He was Just Curious to me until yesterday. The Just Curious who offered some useful advise on keeping warm, on a thread I started just a few short days ago in the bush section. I really appreciated that. He was in Antarctica on a mission and took the time to share his knowledge and pass on some advice.
An uncommon man, as many have said here.

I feel this tragedy as a personal tragedy. In the broader sense of my extended family in aviation, all of you are my family.
I have lived in this cold land for many years and know the kind of people that populate it, especially the North, that attracts and holds us.

I have come to admire and respect the people who toil day in and day out to keep lights on and food on the table in places where there is only a dot on the map.
The Bobs of this world dont think that they are special for what they do, day in and day out. But they are. Some of them visit these pages on occasion.

I salute you all.

This is how I feel about you and especially Bob, Mike and Perry

Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen
Giants of courage, determination and quiet perseverance,
How easily their names roll off the tongue
They went where none would dare to dream,
These men woven of fabric so rare.

And there is Heath, Andersen and Denton
Tailored in garb as fine
Dreamed the dream and went to breathe the air, breath for breath
Their toil far from Mother Earth's bosom
They flew the icy sky and wrestled the frozen wind

What measure of courage, these men?
What determination and perseverance?

So easily to see from the company they keep
Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen were there to greet them
Our men, Heath, Andersen and Denton.
Let us remember and celebrate them
These men, Our Sons and Brothers
Heath, Andersen and Denton

Let their names roll off our tongues in a single breath
Shackleton Scott Amundsen Heath Andersen Denton

May you rest in peace

[pitot]

I did not know any of these gentlemen personally however I still feel a significant loss. My condolences to the family and friends of all. Rest in peace guys

[looproll]

We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies, and were gently caught by God's own hand to be with him on High.

[DougRonan]

We are all very sad to have finally learned the fate of our good friend Perry Andersen - Perry started his successful aviation career as a co op student in our shop when he went to Park Street Collegiate in Orillia, Ontario when he was about 17. While Perry was here we did a project for the Future Fuels Division of Environment Canada to build an airplane that ran on pure Ethanol. We took a 1959 Cessna 150 and transformed it into a taildragger, floatkit, long range tanks, new paint, panel, interior, etc, etc. We did all of this from start to finish in 6 weeks just in time for the Toronto Aircraft Show. Perry was there from start to finish – he and I flew that airplane to Oshkosh that year – the whole way on pure Ethanol – we had a Twin Commanche “chase plane” following us with about 10 gas cans of pure Ethanol. When we got to Oshkosh we parked the airplane on the corner of Airshow Center - Aeroshell Square. We did that 2 years in row – it was very cool! From 17 to 18 years old Perry learned a lot about airplanes and a lot of about life – some of which he maybe shouldn’t have learned at that age but we had a blast!
He went on to college - got his AME license. I think one of his favourite jobs was working in BC for Harbour Air – he told me the people were great and he learned a huge amount there. He also worked at Air Georgian in Toronto and Crossflow in Collingwood. He worked for Kenn Borek in various places in the Arctic – Inuvik and Cambridge Bay and then the last few winters (or summers down there) in the Antarctic for Ken Borek - he loved that job - the scenery, the people, and the adventure!! Those tours were an adventure from start to finish. They would start in Calgary and 2 pilots and the mechanic would fly the airplane down through South America and jump over to the Antarctic. In the “bio” of Bob in one the previous posts he mentions “bailling out an engineer who got arrested in South America (missing passport, woman, alcohol, much screaming, you get the idea)” I am pretty sure that was Perry – he told me a story that was very similar to that – those of you that knew Perry like I did would find that hard to believe – he was lover not a fighter. I believe this was great example of the “Father Figure” type you all portray Bob to have been!

Perry moved back to Ontario and we reconnected after his time out west – he has even done some work for me in the last few years. I am very glad now, that I took the time about a year ago to tell Perry how proud I was of who he had become as very experienced and qualified aircraft mechanic and more importantly as a great person! We had many good times and alot of laughs over the years. I do feel genuinely privileged to have known him and watched him developed from his teenage years to successful adulthood!! We will all miss his quick wit and always upbeat outlook!

I, as many of you, are heartbroken with the outcome of this very terrible tragedy – I am very sad that we have lost Perry – but I am equally as sad that we have lost Bob and Mike. I feel I have gotten to know Bob over the last few days with all the stories of the many people that he touched. I would imagine Mike was equally as spectacular a person.

Aviation is a small and close knit community. In my 28 years of flying I have lost some close friends over the years in airplane crashes. It is always very difficult to comprehend how and why these things happen and sometimes there really isn’t a clear and definite answer. The one thing that is consistent is the amazing reaction of support from the aviation community – this past few days is a great example. The aviation community had “3 men down”. The outpouring of support for these three men – is awesome. Some of us knew them very well, some had worked with one or two, and some of us got to know them from afar – through the stories. But the big thing is we all had “3 men down” – part of the aviation family. I have been full time in this business for almost 25 years and I have met some amazing people – all with one common personality flaw – we love to fly. A very successful business man and pilot – said to me once “aviation is the only industry – driven by passion and not profit” Bob, Mike and Perry – were not flying that Twin Otter down there the other day because they were going to get filthy rich doing it – there are much easier ways to make money. No they where there because they love airplanes and love to fly. Up until the last moment they were “living the dream” – the outcome is definitely not what we would all wish for but I am sure they would agree - that the career/life long journey to get to that unfortunate instant in time was worth every moment!

The widow of very good friend of mine who was killed in a plane crash in 1996 said to me two words that I have never forgot “Keep Flying!” That’s why today I was too sad to do much but a bunch of us got up the energy and put three planes on skis. We did what Bob, Mike and Perry and a lot of you reading this - would do on a nice winter day. I felt much better after we landed!

They may be gone but they will never be forgotten!

Doug Ronan
Brechin, Ontario