Wed, Sep 29, 2010
Nightfall Inhibits Continued Searches Until Morning
The news coming to ANN from the Gordon Bennett Control Centre is
not good. A balloon flying in the Gordon Bennett race designated
USA2, registration N801NM, is still missing as night falls. The
pilots listed on board have been identified as American citizens,
Richard Abruzzo and Carol Rymer-Davis.
54th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett Flight Director,
Don Cameron, reports that at 05.58Z this morning (29th September),
"we received the last signal from the tracker device, which
normally gives us the balloon position every 15 minutes. (This
position is shown on the race's web site). We were contacted around
that time also by Brindisi Air Traffic Control who had lost
contact with the balloon. Mr. Luc Trullemans, meteorologist, has
had a conversation with one of the pilots at 06.05Z. No contact has
been established since. The balloon is equipped with satellite
telephone, VHF radios, radar transponder and two mobile telephones.
It has not been possible to make contact on any of these.
Thunderstorms were present in the area."
Gordon Bennett Race
Launch
(Gordon Bennett Race Photo)
A search and rescue operation has been launched by the Italian
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) involving several
aircraft and a fast patrol boat. The Croatian authorities and all
shipping in the area have also been notified. Nothing has been
found so far and no signal has been detected from the Emergency
Location Transmitter, which should activate on contact with water.
Gordon Bennett officials have been able to supply the MRCC with
some information on the safety equipment carried and technical
aspects of the balloon. The balloon is equipped with survival
suits, lifejackets and two single-person life rafts.
Richard Abruzzo and Carol
Rymer-Davis
(Gordon Bennett Race Photo)
Cameron notes that, "Nineteen other balloons were flying in the
event and we have confirmation that all of these have landed safely
and all other pilots are safe and well. We are hoping that good
news will come, but are becoming increasingly concerned as
nightfall approaches. We are in close contact with Richard and
Carol's families.
The search will be scaled down overnight, but will be resumed at
first light. There will be no further bulletins until the search
resumes on Thursday.
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