Plane missing in Antarctica

[KAG]

Its been a long time since I've spent this much time on AVCanada.
Im impatiently waiting to hear they are found safe and sound and hearing That Bob asked for an
Espresso (get him to tell that story later).

Another prayer said.

[Flybabe]

Me too, KAG. Me too.

Come home soon, Bob. We all need you.

[Doc]

It's been a very long time since I've so many sincere positive thoughts come out of this web site. It's really good to see! This has me looking at things differently. Love Bird Dog's take on the interviews with Leno and Oprah (I hate that woman!) the movie and book and the like. Don't know who I'd get to play Bob though, now that John Candy is gone. He'd have been perfect!
Im feeling really helpless here, sitting on my couch sipping my hot coffee (which is really hard to do with crossed fingers, BTW). I have the utmost respect for Bob, and I'm thinking nothing but positive thoughts for his safe return.
Keep you ears stiff, and your nose to the wind old fox, they'll be picking you up as soon as they can!

[burhead1]

It's been a very long time since I've so many sincere positive thoughts come out of this web site. It's really good to see! This has me looking at things differently. Love Bird Dog's take on the interviews with Leno and Oprah (I hate that woman!) the movie and book and the like. Don't know who I'd get to play Bob though, now that John Candy is gone. He'd have been perfect!
Im feeling really helpless here, sitting on my couch sipping my hot coffee (which is really hard to do with crossed fingers, BTW). I have the utmost respect for Bob, and I'm thinking nothing but positive thoughts for his safe return.
Keep you ears stiff, and your nose to the wind old fox, they'll be picking you up as soon as they can!

+1

I did not know Bob, but his pictures alone say a thousand words.

[skyclear350]

I too am praying for a safe return for Bob and his crew! I flew many flights with him...the best pilot I've ever met and a true gentleman. May God send his angels to take care of you guys!

[flyinthebug]

Well said Doc! Its not surprising as Bob is always such a positive person with everyone he meets.

I have completely cancelled my day and I am pinned to avcanada and CTV 24 hour news channel for constant updates. I`ll be the first say it out loud...this waiting is AGONIZING!!

They say the wx is about to break and give them a window. Lets hope they get that window.

Bob is keeping everyone calm and organized up on that mountain, and he will bring them all home safe and sound. He helped me adjust to CYEV so he will do the same for those men where they are.

My most sincere respect to you Skipper.

Keep praying!!!!!
FTB

[I WAS Birddog]

...... the movie and book and the like. Don't know who I'd get to play Bob though, now that John Candy is gone. He'd have been perfect!

I am of the opinion no one else can play his part in the movie except for Bob himself.


.....You know he's gonna roll his eyes when he reads these posts about me envisioning him socializing with Hollywoods rich and shameless!

Get home soldier!!!

[Phlyer]

I too am checking this site on the hour. Bob gave me - a complete stranger - a bunch of great advice when I was starting out as well.
Lots of prayers sent for a safe recovery.
I don't spend much time on Avcanada any more but it is sure nice to see all the good wishes.
Godspeed to all the folks involved.

[helione]

no sat phone on this a/c ? we don't leave home without so was wondering....and of course it doesn't always work when you need it

[grover]

Some sat phones are hardwired in. If it has no power supply, it may not work properly?

[Apollo]

Light a candle for myself as well, thoughts and prayers to Bob and his crew.

I found a better map online, with an expanded inset of the search area if anybody is interested...

http://www.usap.gov/USAPgov/sciencesupp ... 010-11.pdf

I've seem conflicting information on the beacon location, but I now believe that Press article which states it to be roughly halfway between Pole and McMurdo (420 statute miles from Pole, near 84ºS) at an altitude of 13,000 feet. The plan is to establish a rescue base camp at the site of the former CTAM camp on the west side of the Beardmore Glacier (perhaps the main camp at 84ºS-164.5ºE) where there is a rudimentary runway and a fuel cache. The intended site is about 30 miles from the beacon location. Helicopters from McMrdo would proceed to this camp, refueling at other fuel caches en route. The Twin Otter had retreated to the Roadend fuel cache at 79.8ºS-157.9ºE near the Darwin Glacier to await better weather.

That is from the 'unofficial' South Pole Station website at http://www.southpolestation.com/news/news.html

Looking forward to reading the book and seeing the movie when Bob returns!

[YCL Boy]

Just like everyone here, hoping for the best outcome.
And a great story to be told very soon.

Here's some link's to some weather charts for Antarctic.

Synoptic Chart:
http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/data/view-dat ... _Chart.GIF

http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/data/view-dat ... odel/ECMWF

http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/data/view-dat ... l/GFS/500Z

http://amrc.ssec.wisc.edu/data/view-dat ... el/GFS/T2M

[attachment=0]ECMWFASFCP0.GIF[/attachment]

[pez]

I have never posted in one of these threads, and I have never met any of the people involved, yet I find myself checking back every half hour or so to see if there are any updates. I truly believe they are safe on the ground and waiting out the storm, and I look forward to the first hand account of the events. Thinking of you guys.

I wholeheartedly second that. Hoping everyone makes it home safe.

I've never met Bob, but have heard the name over the last few years, and separately had a great deal of respect for "Just Curious" on here.

Best wishes to those on the ice and the rescue parties ready to go... as well as all the families and friends sitting at home and waiting.

-Colin

[co-joe]

I met Bob during the year I rotated to YEV, and have only kept in touch with him here and on Facebook. His page there has 847 friends all of whom are anxiously awating good news like all of us here. I love the story he told me abouot getting married IN a twin Otter. Did I even hear that right? He walked down the aisle in an aircraft? Even though I flew beechcraft, I somehow felt like he was a mentor to me. Always good advice in person, on line, all the time. We are sending warm thoughts and prayers to you and your crew sir. Keep positive, help is on the way.

[TA/RA]

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.

[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.