Search on for Missing Pilot

[Bandit1]

Latest on the Boychuck search - be careful up there folks, looks like the weather is taking a nasty turn.

Searchers fight turbulence as hunt for planes continues

19WNR: 07/080 October 29, 2007

KAMLOOPS - The search continues for the seventh day to find Mr. Ron Boychuk, a 61 year-old pilot flying a beige Cessna 172 with red trim registred C-FMXV. He was last seen in Revelstoke where he made a fuel stop during his flight to Qualicum Beach.

Stronger winds aloft resulted in high turbulence in the mountainous region where the aircrews were concentrating their efforts. “The winds are more difficult to predict as they are manipulated by the rugged terrain and create strong up and down drafts. For that reason, we might not be able to access certain terrain features and search areas at that time,” said Capt. Stephen Clarke, a Griffon helicopter pilot with 408 Squadron in Edmonton.

A Buffalo aircraft and the Cormorant helicopter participating in the major search were retasked by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Victoria, yesterday afternoon, to investigate an Electronic Locator Transmitter (ELT) signal from a Cessna 172 in the area north of Golden. Strong winds and adverse weather kept the aircraft from getting to the exact location. Nonetheless, two Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) were able to go and investigate the crash site by civilian helicopter with long-line capability. A three-year old girl was rescued from the scene. Unfortunately, the other two occupants, two males, did not survive.

Today's search is being conducted by the following Canadian Forces aircraft:

- two CC-115 Buffalo aircraft from 19 Wing Comox;
- one CH-149 Cormorant helicopter from 19 Wing Comox;
- two CH-146 Griffon helicopters from 4 Wing Cold Lake and CFB Edmonton; and
- one CC-138 Twin Otter from 440 Squadron Yellowknife.

In addition, six aircrafts and twenty spotters from the CASARA are helping with the search.

Sightings can be called into the tips line at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Victoria) at 1-800-567-5111 or the Search Headquarters (Kamloops): 1-250-554-5962, collect calls are accepted.

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Note to editors: For further information on the major search, please contact the 19 Wing Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Cheryl Condly or 2Lt Alexandre Cadieux, at (250) 554-5960, pager (250) 703-7035.

For further information on the airplane crash in Golden, please contact the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Victoria) at 250-363-2995.

 

[JBoyd]

I am glad that the young girl survived, nothing more tragic then a young life lost.

 

[Bandit1]

Here are some pictures from the scene taken at Golden, along with some of our hero's at the end which were sent to me by 19 Wing.  Hat's off to all of you! 

Bandit

 

[Bandit1]

Keep up the great effort gents, we're all hopeful and believe in all of you! 

Signs of Ron Boychuk’s Whereabouts Elude Searchers 

October 31, 2007

KAMLOOPS – There remains some hope that searchers will find an indication of where Ron Boychuk may have gone down today, on day nine of the search. The search began on Tuesday, October 23, after Boychuk failed to land at his intended destination, Qualicum Beach, on Vancouver Island.

Searchers anticipate completing the 20,000 square-kilometre search area by Thursday evening. At that time, the entire area will have been flown over twice at an altitude of at least 300 metres. In addition, much of the high probability areas will have also been examined at a height of 150 metres. An area where searchers believe the aircraft may have last been seen, surrounding Lytton, B.C., has been covered many more times by several different aircraft and ground searchers.

“The assets that we have available to use are concentrated on this search and we will give it everything we have over the next two days,” said Capt. Brad White, Searchmaster. “Crews have worked very hard over the past nine days and made every effort from the air to find Mr. Boychuk; unfortunately, there has not been any sign. We have followed up on numerous tips, but sadly they have not lead to the aircraft.”

The investigation unit at Search headquarters has received over one hundred tips from the public. Consequently, in response to the information they acquired, 30 tips lead to further investigation but none enabled the search efforts to locate Mr. Boychuk.

The following aircraft remain dedicated to the mission:
• two CC-115 Buffalo aircraft from 19 Wing Comox;
• two CH-146 Griffon helicopters from 4 Wing Cold Lake and CFB Edmonton;
• two CH-124 Sea King helicopter from Victoria;
• one Dash-8 from 17 Wing Winnipeg; and
• two CC-138 Twin Otter from 440 Squadron Yellowknife.

70 Civil Air Search and Rescue (CASARA), including 12 aircraft, are helping with the search today.

Sightings of a beige Cessna 172 with red trim registered C-FMXV can be called into the tips line at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Victoria) at 1-800-567-5111 or the Search Headquarters (Kamloops) at 1-250-554-5962, collect calls are accepted.

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Note to editors: For further information on the major search, please contact the 19 Wing Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Cheryl Condly or 2Lt Alexandre Cadieux, at (250) 554-5960, pager (250) 703-7035.

 

[flames9]

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/10/31/weisgarber.plane.crash.ctvnetwork

Was on CNN.com. 

 

[Bandit1]

The search continues - lets hope and pray for a good outcome!  I'm amazed at how much participation there is from CASARA - are they always this involved with SAR missions??

Still No Clues to Missing Pilot’s Location

November 1, 2007

KAMLOOPS – With approximately 85 percent of the entire area complete, searchers say two more days of good weather could see their plan completed on day ten of the search for missing pilot Ron Boychuk.

“We’ve flown over more than 29,500 square kilometers but found no solid indications of where Mr. Boychuk, may be,” said Searchmaster Capt. Brad White of Comox-based 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron. “To look at ending a search is a very difficult decision to make; however, we will ensure that we have flown the entire area to our utmost capabilities from the air and checked every lead.”

The following Canadian Forces aircraft are conducting today’s search:

• one CC-115 Buffalo aircraft from 19 Wing Comox;
• two CH-146 Griffon helicopters from 4 Wing Cold Lake and CFB Edmonton;
• two CH-124 Sea King helicopter from Victoria;
• one Dash-8 from 17 Wing Winnipeg; and
• two CC-138 Twin Otter from 440 Squadron Yellowknife.

In addition, almost 70 Civil Air Search and Rescue (CASARA), including 13 aircraft, are helping with the search today.

Sightings of a beige Cessna 172 with red trim registered C-FMXV can be called into the tips line at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Victoria) at 1-800-567-5111 or the Search Headquarters (Kamloops) at 1-250-554-5962, collect calls are accepted.

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Note to editors: For further information on the major search, please contact the 19 Wing Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Cheryl Condly or 2Lt Alexandre Cadieux, at (250) 554-5960, pager (250) 703-7035.

 

[kj_gully]

CASARA provide invaluable service during these searches, not only with the aircraft assets noted, but also within Search headquarters and augmentees to the military and civil aircraft crews. They are definately an intregal and welcome addition to a SAR case.

 

[HERC]

It's always great seeing the CASARA assets being put to use.  Being a member of both CASARA and ground SAR out of Cranbrook I see the dedication of these volunteers all the time.  Never ceases to amaze me.

Hopefully there is an outcome to this search soon.

Cheers,  Shayne

 

[Good2Golf]

It will be interesting to see if in due course, the story of the SAR Techs' insertion is told.

Kudos to Don McTigue at Alpine Helicopters...good job, Donnie! 

G2G

 

[Zoomie]

It will be interesting to see if in due course, the story of the SAR Techs' insertion is told.

Which part of the insertion interests you most?  Most details have been posted already. 

The Bell 407 took off from Golden, flew 6 miles.  The GSAR member on board homed the ELT to a valley - the helicopter flew up the valley until an "on-top" call was made.  The 407 landed 200m away from the crash and the ST's leaped into action.  Less than 10-15 mins later one of the ST's radio'd the 407 to land as he was incoming with a survivor.  The 407 landed and then took off again to the hospital.  That was pretty much it.

 

[Bandit1]

Valley shots sound like fun!  Hope the CASARA guys enjoy the ride!   Glad to see the Sea Kings in on the operation, I'm sure they'll be an asset as well.  Be careful up there, I saw a local weather report and it looks like it'll be a wet one for you and your teams....take care!

Bandit

Weather Hampering Search for Missing Pilot

November 2, 2007

KAMLOOPS – Military searchers and Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) volunteers will take to the air again today, Friday, November 2. Turbulence and bad weather has pushed the hunt for a missing Cessna 172 into its eleventh day.

Aircraft have been unable to complete their missions due to the flying conditions, but will attempt to get into areas of interest today for a closer look at the terrain for any signs of missing pilot Ron Boychuk.

Parts of the Fraser Canyon and a mountainous area west of Lytton remain to be searched. Despite the exhaustive efforts, there has been no sign of the missing aircraft that disappeared Tuesday, 23 Oct.

The Buffalo crew from 19 Wing Comox will be participating in the search west of Lytton. The crew, which consists of two pilots, one navigator, one flight engineer and two Search and Rescue Technicians, will be joined by a second flight engineer and three CASARA spotters, trained to look at difficult terrain for the smallest indication of where an aircraft may have gone down.

Today the Buffalo will fly “valley shoots”; an aggressive flying technique designed to get the aircraft into otherwise inaccessible valleys, often where other aircraft get into trouble. “The pilot will fly towards a peak, lower the aircraft’s flaps and drop its landing gear before suddenly pitching the aircraft over the peak towards the valley floor below,” describes Capt. Jeff Manney, public affairs officer and former Navigator. “Descending at a mere 170 kilometres per hour, the Buffalo is so steeply angled that its spotters, still scanning the cliff sides, are left hanging sideways in their seats.”

They will also perform contour flying, searching the difficult mountainous and heavily wooded areas. The first pass will be at 300 metres, looking 1.5 kilometres out and then the crew will drop to 150 metres scanning the area, searching areas that are less than one kilometre from the aircraft.

The Sea King crews will be flying an area west of the Fraser Canyon search area today. They have contributed significantly to the search and are flying missions that they normally do not have the opportunity to participate in. “Our primary mandate is anti-submarine warfare; flying off Canadian Forces ships over water,” said Capt. Don Philip, Sea King pilot and detachment commander for the two Sea Kings participating in the search.

“We do search and rescue training and have hoist capabilities; however, flying in the mountains is not something we do regularly. We do it in our training, but not operations. This is a new experience for some of our crew and is challenging for all of us.” Philip said. “Under different circumstances, this would be a great opportunity, but for us now it is about finding out what has happened to a missing fellow flyer, whose family is in great pain.”

The following Canadian Forces aircraft are conducting today’s search:

• one CC-115 Buffalo aircraft from 19 Wing Comox;
• two CH-146 Griffon helicopters from 4 Wing Cold Lake and CFB Edmonton;
• two CH-124 Sea King helicopter from Victoria;
• one Dash-8 from 17 Wing Winnipeg; and
• one CC-138 Twin Otter from 440 Squadron Yellowknife.

Over 70 Civil Air Search and Rescue Association volunteers (CASARA), including 13 aircraft, continue to support the search efforts.

Sightings of a beige Cessna 172 with red trim registered C-FMXV can be called into the tips line at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (Victoria) at 1-800-567-5111 or the Search Headquarters (Kamloops) at 1-250-554-5962, collect calls are accepted.

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Note to editors: For further information on the major search, please contact the 19 Wing Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Cheryl Condly at (250) 554-5960, pager (250) 703-7035.

 

[Good2Golf]

Which part of the insertion interests you most?  Most details have been posted already. 

The Bell 407 took off from Golden, flew 6 miles.  The GSAR member on board homed the ELT to a valley - the helicopter flew up the valley until an "on-top" call was made.  The 407 landed 200m away from the crash and the ST's leaped into action.  Less than 10-15 mins later one of the ST's radio'd the 407 to land as he was incoming with a survivor.  The 407 landed and then took off again to the hospital.  That was pretty much it.

Crossed-wires, Zoomie, I thought Don had used the HETS to insert Sgt Elliston and MCpl Lapointe on site...check they landed 200m short and hiked up/in to the site.

Cheers,
G2G

 

[Bandit1]

It's great to see 402 Squadron in on the action...here's a static shot of 804 from St. Thomas earlier this year.  Kids just love walking through this airplane, and the crew was amazing at answering questions ranging from "Why does it have sucha a big nose?" to "How fast do you go?"

Bandit

 

[kj_gully]

If HETS= longline, the boys did preposition it in case it was needed, early reports erroneously reported it as being the method of insertion. I don't think I would have the nuts to long line out with a carseat in my arms... that was the first question I asked when they got back.

 

[Bandit1]

Anyone involved in this mission deserves a pat on the back and at least a couple of beers.  My hat goes off to the immense effort of the searchers which were involved with the search.   

Search for Missing Pilot Unsuccessful from the Air

KAMLOOPS – The search headquarters that was set up in Kamloops to search for missing pilot, Ron Boychuk, will be stood down today, November 3, 12 days after Boychuk disappeared after departing from Revelstoke, B.C. at approximately 2 p.m. on October 23. Air assets have covered the 20,000 square kilometre search area extensively; unfortunately, no indication of where the missing pilot or aircraft was found.

Boychuk told his wife that he intended to fly to Qualicum via Salmon Arm. He never arrived at his intended destination and has not been heard from since leaving Revelstoke.  A search headquarters was set up in Kamloops with dedicated assets to ensure maximum support.

There remains one area in the mountains west of Lytton where search efforts have been hampered by weather. The area has been searched at 450 metres; however the Searchmaster would like one more search at a lower level. This will be conducted by a Buffalo aircraft from 19 Wing Comox once the conditions improve.

There were hundreds of tips called in, with 36 potential leads based on time and location, with two considered strong possibilities. Investigators followed up and aircraft were tasked to search areas of interest; however, nothing was found. Boychuk had flown the route two – three times per year over the past four years. According to his family, he was well prepared for survival.

Air Force crews from across Canada, along with Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) and Ground Search and Rescue volunteers from British Columbia, participated in the intense search. Overall, 17 military and 27 CASARA aircraft flew 580 hours covering over 30,500 square kilometres. The search area has been covered extensively and Air Force assets will now return to their Wings / bases.

Both 442 Squadron and CASARA may revisit the area in the hopes of spotting the crash site whenever they are in the region for routine training.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Boychuks during this difficult time,” said Capt. Brad White, Searchmaster. “Our intention is always to bring home loved ones. It is with great sadness that we return without having reunited Ron Boychuk with his family.”

“This has been a tragic event, which the Air Force was unfortunately unable to resolve. We have no idea why Ron Boychuk disappeared or have any clues to his whereabouts. We encourage pilots to file flight plans and follow them, and to call in position reports. It assists us greatly in searches in the terrible event of a crash.”

The search will be handed over to the RCMP as a missing persons case.

If at anytime the public sees something that may be related to this case, please contact the RCMP.

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Note to editors: For further information on the major search, please contact the 19 Wing Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Cheryl Condly at (250) 554-5960 (until departure, TBD) or pager (250) 703-7035.

For more information on CASARA, please visit: http://www.casara.ca

 

[Zoomie]

We encourage pilots to file flight plans and follow them, and to call in position reports. It assists us greatly in searches in the terrible event of a crash.”

All pilots please read and heed - this one little act can save your life.

 

[Good2Golf]

If HETS= longline, the boys did preposition it in case it was needed, early reports erroneously reported it as being the method of insertion. I don't think I would have the nuts to long line out with a carseat in my arms... that was the first question I asked when they got back.

kj_gully, yes, HETS is civy-speak for a Helo-external transport system.  I saw that first report that Don had used HETS to insert the guys...hence waiting for more (which obviously didn't come, once the reporters corrected the information).  If the carseat was snap-linked to your harness you'd be good to go, KJ!

Zoomie is right, file the flight plan.  The second important element to that is....FOLLOW YOUR FLIGHT PLAN, or advise FSS of the change in route!

Cheers
G2G

 

[tomahawk6]

"There are Old Pilots, there are Bold Pilots, but there are no Old Bold Pilots"

Steve Fossett  who took off without filing a flight plan still hasnt been found. Its tough enough trying to find a downed plane that was flying on its flight path. We lost two Congressmen in Alaska Boggs and Begich in 1972 flying in a twin-engine Cessna 310 on a flight from Anchorage to Juneau.They remain missing to this day.