Our local radio is reporting a floatplane accident in the Nootka sound yesterday (?) It said the pilot and passenger escaped and swam to shore, lit a fire. Company reported overdue and they were rescued by a Cormorant.
Anybody have more details?
Another floatplane accident/rescue?
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Another floatplane accident/rescue?
Former Advocate for Floatplane Safety
Pilot and passangers found by comorant about 2:00 this morning. All air lifted out to Comox. All okay, no details about the cause of the crash.
Thanks to the Squadron out of Comox.
I am the pilots wife, just spoke with him on the phone.
Thanks to the Squadron out of Comox.
I am the pilots wife, just spoke with him on the phone.
The world is waiting, get out and enjoy it!
Thanks, Widdow. Yes it was a very long night, but search and rescue did an awsome job. Sounds like they got a fire going, helicopter managed to land and they walked to it. Few cuts and bruises, but a happy ending to what could have been another sad story. Not sure about the extent of the damage to the Beaver, sure I'll hear in the next few hours when Terry gets home.
The world is waiting, get out and enjoy it!
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Cat Driver
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I am so glad to hear everyone got out alright. I agree with PT6 every float pilot should take underwater trainning. I am sure it was a long night for you pilotswife, I know it is a situation that I have night-mares about. I am so happy that there was a happy ending. Best wishes to the family.
http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/19wing ... 79&id=3202
News Releases
Cormorant Crew Picks Up Crew from Overdue Flight
May 9, 2007
19 WING COMOX - A Cormorant Crew from 442 Squadron was launched early this morning, May 9, on a mission to look for an overdue aircraft. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria received a call that a Beaver Float Plane whose planned route was Crawfish Lake to Fort Langley had not arrived at its planned destination. There had been no contact from the missing people, nor was there an electronic locator transmitter being picked up.
The JRCC tasked the helicopter to Crawfish Lake, on Nootka Island, to begin the search after receiving reports from the Nootka lighthouse keeper that a plane fitting that description had been seen earlier the previous day in the vicinity.
The crew of Rescue 912 proceeded to the lake and began a shore crawl in search of any sign of the missing plane. The Beaver was spotted at the west end of the lake and shortly after a fire seen on the shoreline.
The Cormorant flew to the area of the fire and two search and rescue technicians were hoisted to the site.
"We found the three occupants in relatively good condition," said Sergeant Rob Beauchamp, SAR Tech. "Apparently they had damaged the aircraft on take off and were able to make it safely to the beach and start a fire, which assisted us in finding them quickly. It's good to have a happy ending and bring folks back safely."
The Cormorant pilots landed on a nearby logging road and picked up the SAR Techs and the three survivors, who were transported back to Comox.
There is not further information on the three persons rescued at this time.
Cormorant Crew: Capt. Hans Kleeman, aircraft commander, Capt. Jeff Ludlow, first officer, Master Cpl. Jeff Blundell, Sgt. Rob Beauchamp and Master Cpl. Rob Coates, SAR Techs.
News Releases
Cormorant Crew Picks Up Crew from Overdue Flight
May 9, 2007
19 WING COMOX - A Cormorant Crew from 442 Squadron was launched early this morning, May 9, on a mission to look for an overdue aircraft. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria received a call that a Beaver Float Plane whose planned route was Crawfish Lake to Fort Langley had not arrived at its planned destination. There had been no contact from the missing people, nor was there an electronic locator transmitter being picked up.
The JRCC tasked the helicopter to Crawfish Lake, on Nootka Island, to begin the search after receiving reports from the Nootka lighthouse keeper that a plane fitting that description had been seen earlier the previous day in the vicinity.
The crew of Rescue 912 proceeded to the lake and began a shore crawl in search of any sign of the missing plane. The Beaver was spotted at the west end of the lake and shortly after a fire seen on the shoreline.
The Cormorant flew to the area of the fire and two search and rescue technicians were hoisted to the site.
"We found the three occupants in relatively good condition," said Sergeant Rob Beauchamp, SAR Tech. "Apparently they had damaged the aircraft on take off and were able to make it safely to the beach and start a fire, which assisted us in finding them quickly. It's good to have a happy ending and bring folks back safely."
The Cormorant pilots landed on a nearby logging road and picked up the SAR Techs and the three survivors, who were transported back to Comox.
There is not further information on the three persons rescued at this time.
Cormorant Crew: Capt. Hans Kleeman, aircraft commander, Capt. Jeff Ludlow, first officer, Master Cpl. Jeff Blundell, Sgt. Rob Beauchamp and Master Cpl. Rob Coates, SAR Techs.
The probability of survival is dependent on the angle of arrival.
Agreed Widow. What's the use of an ELT on a floatplane that doesn't work when it gets wet? A breakaway, waterproof, floating ELT isn't rocket science...I brought this up 5 years ago with the TSB and TC. The slow painful wheels of beaurocracy seem to be siezed on this one. If you could come out with this one little change during your quest for justice, you'd be directly responsible for saving many lives in the future. I was bleeding out through my forehead with this one...maybe you'd fair better with those dinosaurs and their 666 phone numbers. Personally, I ran out of steam...
But is it lack of a properly built ELT that is the problem, or perhaps just that there isnt enough G force or other trigger to ... trigger the ELT on? Did these two aircraft have auto ELTs or could they (were they) switched on by the occupants of the plane (to which the ELT did/could have failed).
But even before that. The more important one is. Were these planes equiped with the thing in the first place.
[edit]
Anyone know the cause of the accident?
But even before that. The more important one is. Were these planes equiped with the thing in the first place.
[edit]
Actually, this makes me wonder... If you damage the aircraft on take off... And you know this... Why the heck did you continue the flight?"Apparently they had damaged the aircraft on take off and were able to make it safely to the beach and start a fire, which assisted us in finding them quickly.[...]
Anyone know the cause of the accident?
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Cat Driver
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This just supports the value of waterproof personal electronic emergency locators.
I would far rather be alive by using a non approved device than dead because I relied only on approved devices.
I would far rather be alive by using a non approved device than dead because I relied only on approved devices.
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
I don't know about that. If a float plane is sinking nose first real fast and you're stuck at the rear of the plane, you're gonna have a heck of a time getting to the exits with a life jacket on. Thoughts?Widow wrote:For commercial float operations, it should be mandatory for the pilot to wear such a personal device, and each life jacket (which the occupants should have to wear during all phases of flight) should likewise be equipped with one.
You ought to know by now that float planes always crash on the land - always. In fact its a law, enforced by TC. Oh wait...
I used to go in and out of Crawfish in 'Jos and Beavs. Good place to swim there in the summer, but not for a few months yet. Funny winds in there.
Great news all are safe.
On boats we are encouraged to have a waterproof 'abandon ship' bag with matches, water, food etc. I just bought an Icom marine band portable radio for $35 that uses AAs from a used-boat-supply place that you could keep in there too. Its very small and waterproof. Even a brand-new one is only $180. SAR and Coast Guard and almost all boats have channel 16.
Making one up presupposes that you would have time to grab it. Maybe if it was orange, floated and had handles it would be more compelling. And maybe an EPIRB (expensive) would make more sense than a radio, considering how useful an ELT is in the water.
Even though some might disparage them, maybe its time to mandate inflatable lifejackets for all passengers? Somebody mentioned before that you could use them like boarding passes for passengers? We wear ours always on the boat, so...?
I used to go in and out of Crawfish in 'Jos and Beavs. Good place to swim there in the summer, but not for a few months yet. Funny winds in there.
Great news all are safe.
On boats we are encouraged to have a waterproof 'abandon ship' bag with matches, water, food etc. I just bought an Icom marine band portable radio for $35 that uses AAs from a used-boat-supply place that you could keep in there too. Its very small and waterproof. Even a brand-new one is only $180. SAR and Coast Guard and almost all boats have channel 16.
Making one up presupposes that you would have time to grab it. Maybe if it was orange, floated and had handles it would be more compelling. And maybe an EPIRB (expensive) would make more sense than a radio, considering how useful an ELT is in the water.
Even though some might disparage them, maybe its time to mandate inflatable lifejackets for all passengers? Somebody mentioned before that you could use them like boarding passes for passengers? We wear ours always on the boat, so...?
"What's it doing now?"
"Fly low and slow and throttle back in the turns."
"Fly low and slow and throttle back in the turns."
That will do a lot of good. Why would you want an elt floating in the wreakage under the water? That's no better than if it's strapped to the wreakage. And elt's are waterproof anyway. They are designed to send a signal even when submerged - however there are limitations to how deep they can go before the signal is to weak for anyone to hear.A breakaway, waterproof, floating ELT isn't rocket science
A better solution is for float aircraft may be to have personal locators on each person - maybe attached to their life jackets. Much like back country skiers wear avalanch locators.
There are many different reasons why an ELT will not go off. I don't think there's anything wrong with what's available now. Maybe operators should be required to remotely activate an ELT from the instument panel switch - however there will be times where there just isn't enough time.
Agreed. PFDs are great. But dont wear them while in the plane. Have them in a place you can easily grab them. Or wear them unbuckled. If the cabin floods, you'll be fighting against the PFD to get out of the cabin, and it could be your cause of death rather than the thing that saved you. It depends on the airplane in question and other factors. But personally, I'd have one handy, but wouldnt have it on.Goose757 wrote:I don't know about that. If a float plane is sinking nose first real fast and you're stuck at the rear of the plane, you're gonna have a heck of a time getting to the exits with a life jacket on. Thoughts?Widow wrote:For commercial float operations, it should be mandatory for the pilot to wear such a personal device, and each life jacket (which the occupants should have to wear during all phases of flight) should likewise be equipped with one.
As for the rules, AFAIK, gliding distance to shore, theres no requirement, but beyond that (up to 60NM) every soul on board needs a life jacket. And beyond 60NM, you need the whole shabang with life raft, food, tablets, and god knows what else.
http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... lt+gps+406
As dummy proof as it gets and gives a GPS fix to SAR.
I got mine on eBay for about 450USD, new.
I make sure all that are with me on trips (flying, sailing, hiking, etc) know how to use it.
I also wear it ON me and don't leave it in a bag or strage compartment.
One of those things that I hope I'll never use but it makes me feel safer to have it with me.
As dummy proof as it gets and gives a GPS fix to SAR.
I got mine on eBay for about 450USD, new.
I make sure all that are with me on trips (flying, sailing, hiking, etc) know how to use it.
I also wear it ON me and don't leave it in a bag or strage compartment.
One of those things that I hope I'll never use but it makes me feel safer to have it with me.
The emergency life jackets I've seen on the floatplanes here are all the kind you have to pull a cord to inflate ... I'm not suggesting wearing the ones like those used on a boat. I suspect my husband was "lucky" getting out with his floater coat on ... maybe he had help, or jumped before it submerged? Needless to say, I like boeingboy's thought about handing them out like boarding passes!
Former Advocate for Floatplane Safety
That was me and the lifejacket I wear is an inflatable. I ONLY mentioned inflatables. There is no down-side to inflatables except maintenance (the cylinder is supposed to be changed every 2 years) and image. Deal with it.
A standard ELT will not work underwater. You need one like the airlines use that sends out a sonar signal.
A standard ELT will not work underwater. You need one like the airlines use that sends out a sonar signal.
"What's it doing now?"
"Fly low and slow and throttle back in the turns."
"Fly low and slow and throttle back in the turns."
