Search Mission 9/15

[Fifinella]

First "real" mission yesterday (other than non-distress ELT searches).

Helicopter crash investigation continues
By Adam Causey
The Shreveport Times

"A federal investigator says it could be a year before the cause of a fatal helicopter crash in north Caddo Parish Wednesday night is known.

The National Transportation Safety Board representative is on the scene now examining the charred wreckage of the refurbished Fairchild-Hiller 1100 helicopter.

The investigation will examine the pilot's actions and background, the helicopter and the environment, said NTSB Air Safety Investigator Timothy LeBaron."

The Shreveport CAP squadron flew several sorties searching for the downed helicopter.  After the helicopter was located, the NTSB requested CAP assistance on the ground, in the search for a section of airframe critical to the accident investigation.  A joint team comprised of members from the Barksdale and Shreveport CAP squadrons, the NTSB, the FAA, and the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Department found the critical part after a two hour search Saturday morning.

Being at my first aircraft mishap scene was fascinating.  I was surprised at how much it looked like the scenes in the training materials; I had questioned how representative the depictions actually were.

I felt very prepared due to my NESA GTL training this summer.  I highly recommend the NGSAR programs.  I believe we represented CAP very favorably, and hope we will have increased future SAR opportunities due to our performance at this event, and the contacts we made with members of the various agencies.

Most importantly, due to our assistance in locating the critical piece of evidence, the NTSB will be able to more quickly determine the cause of this mishap, and take the necessary actions to prevent similar future accidents.



I hope to have a few more photos to share soon.

[arajca]

Congrats on a good job!

As an aside, how did you justify running boards on your van?

[♠SARKID♠]

Awesome! Congradulations!

[jimmydeanno]

As an aside, how did you justify running boards on your van?

A lot of vans have running boards, you just need to have a fairly new one (>~96) and the right model.  We have a 96 Ford with them.

[Eclipse]

Nice job - and good staging on the photo, too.

[ladyreferee]

Awesome, Judy!  And I'm sure Lt Z and the Major are particularly pleased as well to know you've used the knowledge well from the week.  Send me some more pictures! 

[Fifinella]

As an aside, how did you justify running boards on your van?

That's how it came to us from wing.  Several of the vans in our wing have running boards.  Don't know the whys or wherefores, but it sure makes it easier for us "vertically challenged" to mount up.

[Fifinella]

Awesome, Judy!  And I'm sure Lt Z and the Major are particularly pleased as well to know you've used the knowledge well from the week.  Send me some more pictures! 

Thanks, Cheryl.

Here's a photo of us with our objective:


Edit- redacted photo -TA

[Capt.karl]

Hmm... I hope the NTSB or FAA have this same photo for investigation purposes. Be careful with your photos, families that find these photos just tend to get a little upset!

[RiverAux]

A photo of smiling faces next to wreckage from a fatal crash is NOT a good idea.  I would strongly suggest you take out that photo.

[SDF_Specialist]

Good job on the find, but I agree that a smiling photo is inappropriate in this situation. Still, good job.

[floridacyclist]

Good find. At least now I'll recognize you at the Inland SAR course.

[lordmonar]

Great Job Judy!

Good to see some of us are getting some ground time!

[JC004]

That green patch...does it take up like its own row of seats in a CAP van?   

[Fifinella]

Hmm... I hope the NTSB or FAA have this same photo for investigation purposes. Be careful with your photos, families that find these photos just tend to get a little upset!

The NTSB *took* that photo.  We didn't take any cameras into the investigation site.

Thanks for the advice.

[Fifinella]

That green patch...does it take up like its own row of seats in a CAP van?   

Yeah, we'll probably make the next batch a bit smaller...The patch is almost bigger than some of our first year cadets. 

[Fifinella]

A photo of smiling faces next to wreckage from a fatal crash is NOT a good idea.  I would strongly suggest you take out that photo.

I apologize if anyone took offense.  We were happy that we found an important piece of evidence, contributing to the NTSB's pursuit of the cause of this accident and their actions to prevent future such accidents.

I can see how some would find the photo insensitive.  I don't know how to remove it from the board; perhaps the moderators will assist...

Thanks for the feedback.

[♠SARKID♠]

http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=6192&newsID=3598&year=2007&month=10

Congrads, you made the nationals website!

[pixelwonk]

...I can see how some would find the photo insensitive.  I don't know how to remove it from the board; perhaps the moderators will assist...

Thanks for the feedback.

photo removed per your request.

[Fifinella]

http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=6192&newsID=3598&year=2007&month=10

Congrads, you made the nationals website!

Thanks.