Greater Love Hath No Man....
E-I-C Note:
Later this week, most Americans will enjoy an abundance of
riches and sit down with each other to enjoy a Thanksgiving
get-together. But for the families of two brave, selfless souls, it
will be a time to grieve. Two CAP members were lost in a California
Piper crash last Friday and (as usual) it was up to their brethren
to search for, and find them. A thankless and often derided
activity, the mission of CAP is, at best, unappreciated and usually
ignored.... until the ELT goes off in an aircraft owned by someone
you care for... then, all of a sudden, those initials start having
some meaning. We hope that all ANN readers will think of these
flyers, this weekend, as we give thanks for the many fortunes in
our lives.
Official Statement of CA Wing CAP:
At approximately 8:28 PM Friday, a Piper PA-28-180 attending the
California Wing, Civil Air Patrol, Search and Rescue Exercise,
departed on a flight under Visual Flight Rules from the Palm
Springs International Airport to Big Bear City Airport. The person
believed to be the pilot-in-command was appropriately rated for the
intended flight. The pilot did not file a flight plan with the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
On Saturday morning, California Wing was notified that the
aircraft and its two souls on board were overdue. At the time of
notification, it was not clear that the aircraft reported or any of
the occupants were Civil Air Patrol members or conducting a Civil
Air Patrol authorized flight.
After some research and
intelligence gathering, search operations began at approximately
12:00 PM on Saturday. Our efforts were assisted by the acquisition
of terminal radar data (via the U.S. Air Force) that allowed us to
plot the aircraft's location in space, analyze the ground track and
make more accurate decisions about how to conduct a quick and
effective search for the objective.
As with any search, California Wing and the local Sheriffs
department, work closely together to conduct search operations.
Indeed, many times the Sheriffs air units, specifically their
helicopter resources, allow us the opportunity to gain quick access
to locations that would take many hours by foot or 4-wheel drive
vehicles thus delaying positive identification and
notification.
At about sunset, working closely with California Wing Air and
Ground personnel, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department (SBCSD)
helicopter 40 King was able to identify fresh wreckage consistent
with the profile of the target aircraft. SBCSD subsequently
notified the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and
SB County Coroners office.
Civil Air Patrol Ground Teams arrived at the scene at
approximately 09:45 PM last night and were able to identify the
aircraft by its registration number. There were no survivors and
the ground teams were unable to positively identify the occupants.
Initial plans and coordination with SBCSD called for the Coroner to
be on-scene at first light to accomplish the recovery.
The Chaplain of the Squadron the members belonged to performed
the family notifications last night. Both families were aware that
the persons were missing and that search operations had commenced.
Given the nature of the loss, both families are doing as well as
could be expected.
Investigators from the NTSB arrived at 0800 and our Ground Teams
guided both the investigative team and the SBC Coroners to the
scene. They are still on scene at this time. As such, the names of
the occupants will be released by Civil Air Patrol or the San
Bernardino County Coroner after positive identification has been
made.
Given that California Wing has not lost any aircrew in over 6
years, the California Wing Commander, Col. Virginia Nelson, has
directed the following actions take place.
All operations for the
current Search and Rescue Exercise are now halted. Personnel will
be able to return with their aircraft and vehicles to their home
bases.- A Board of Investigators, comprised of three senior officers
from California Wing and Pacific Region staff, has been appointed
to do an internal investigation of the incident.
The Wing Commander emphasizes safety in all of our operations -
air, ground and mission base - and considers it our highest
priority. There is no mission so important that we cannot take the
time to perform it safely. As such,
- All units in California Wing will accomplish a safety stand
down to focus on aircrew safety and operational procedures, in an
attempt to help mitigate future incidents.
To the families, on this sad day, the members of California Wing
and Civil Air Patrol are standing by you, our hearts go out to you
and we offer our deepest sympathies for your tragic loss.
FAA Preliminary Accident Report
** Report created 11/24/2003 Record
17 **
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 7292W Make/Model: PA28 Description: PA-28 CHEROKEE,
ARROW, WARRIOR, ACHER, D
Date: 11/21/2003 Time: 0500
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N
Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: BIG BEAR CITY State: CA Country: US
DESCRIPTION
A CIVIL AIR PATROL AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES,
TWO PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, BIG BEAR CITY,
CA
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 2 Fat: 2 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
WEATHER: KPSP METAR 220453Z VRB03KT 10SM CLR 16/08 A2971
OTHER DATA
Activity: Pleasure Phase: Unknown Operation: General
Aviation
Departed: Dep Date: Dep. Time:
Destination: UNK Flt Plan: UNK Wx Briefing: U
Last Radio Cont: UNK Last Clearance: UNK
FAA FSDO: RIVERSIDE, CA (WP21) Entry date: 11/24/2003
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.15.24)
See All