MISSING CARAVAN

[Sarge]

Why am I not hearing about any CAP involvement in looking for the missing Cessna 208 between Boise,ID and somewhere in WA? Here we just get a letter from Gen Courter saying how everyone knows us now, and next thing, absolutely NO mention of CAP in any of the breaking news articles I have read on topic.  What gives? If you happen to know something, please let me know....

Sarge
Lt Col, CAP
SMSgt, USAF
Anonymous Squadron Commander

[california IC]

Maybe because they just found it!

But I heard that CAP wasn't involved in it at all too.

[Sarge]

Thanks for the update, Bob! How did the find come out?  Any updates?

Sarge

[shorning]

Why am I not hearing about any CAP involvement in looking for the missing Cessna 208 between Boise,ID and somewhere in WA?

If it was missing in Washington, CAP generally won't be involved.  IIRC, there is something between CAP and the State when it comes to SAR.  I seem to recall that the state has it's own agency that manages SAR for them.

[california IC]

Thanks for the update, Bob! How did the find come out?  Any updates?

Sarge

Just found out when I talked to the AFRCC.  They advised a hunter located it, no further details.

[Sarge]

Thanks again, Bob. I'm sure there is more to follow. My prayers for those aboard and their family.
Sarge

[♠SARKID♠]

Why am I not hearing about any CAP involvement in looking for the missing Cessna 208 between Boise,ID and somewhere in WA?

If it was missing in Washington, CAP generally won't be involved.  IIRC, there is something between CAP and the State when it comes to SAR.  I seem to recall that the state has it's own agency that manages SAR for them.

From what I understand, Washington has many of its own SAR organizations.  Its very mountainous, rugged country so there are many state funded mountain rescue crews and the like already in place.  Much of the terrain is outside of what CAP GTs are capable of (lots of rock climbing, cliff walking, rope crossings, etc) and there are probably SAR organizations that are better equipped.

What would CAP be able to do in their type of situation? Aircrews that can only report back to base when they make a find.  If you want to get to the crash site by air, its going to be a bit hard to land your Cessna on the mountainside...

What could a mountain rescue team provide in the same situation?  Helicopters for at location extraction and transport, as well as ground crews that can cover the terrain.

[BigMojo]

They said on the Today Show this morning (So take information credibility at face value), that, a hunter heard "what sounded like a dragster with straight pipes go over, followed by a crunch and thud." SAR ground teams in Washington were lead to the crash site by the smell of Gas.

No Survivors. (Prayers to the victims' families.)

[SeattleSarge]

SeattlePI article on the Caravan Crash:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/334759_planex09.html

CAP was not involved in the initial search.  Helicopters from the King County Sheriff, Air Force Reserve from Portland AB and two fixed wing from WASAR were dispatched.

Our alert and tasking were issued late yesterday afternoon.  The aircraft was found last evening by ground SAR teams.

A very tragic ending...

-SeattleSarge

[SeattleSarge]

Regarding Air Search in Washington State;

State law places the responsibility for Air Search and Rescue under the Aviation Division of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Besides local government aviation assets (LE) there are two organizations that provide aircraft and crews.  Washington Air Search and Rescue (WASAR) and Civil Air Patrol. 

Both organizations are operationally controlled by the State Aviation Emergency Service Coordinator.  Both must meet administrative and training qualifications established by that office.

No opinions offered here, just facts.

-SeattleSarge

[isuhawkeye]

Sarge,

Can you provide information on those administration and training qualifications?

[SeattleSarge]

Sarge,
Can you provide information on those administration and training qualifications?

Roger that...   Click on this link:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/SAR/default.htm

Open the "Volunteer Information" link at the bottom of the page for specific information.  There is also a link to the RCW - State statute on air SAR.

-SeattleSarge

[♠SARKID♠]

Wow, those are some pretty tight guidelines for a basic certification.  Its a good thing to have high standards like that, but its definitely going to shallow your pool of CAP participants.

[isuhawkeye]

Interesting. 

I think I like their system

[SeattleSarge]

More info on the crash and recovery efforts including video can be found at:

http://www.king5.com/

The remains of all nine passengers and the pilot have been found.

-SeattleSarge

[BillB]

I notice from that article, and last nights ABC News, not one mention was made of CAP. It sounded like a total state and county effort.

[Larry Mangum]

CAP was involved both with aircrews and mission base staff.  I received the call from AFRCC yesterday afternoon around 1:30 PM and within less then 30 minutes both mission base staff was enroute to the airport and the first aircraft was inbound to Yakima.  I don't think that is too bad of a response time.   

[Pylon]

CAP was involved both with aircrews and mission base staff.  I received the call from AFRCC yesterday afternoon around 1:30 PM and within less then 30 minutes both mission base staff was enroute to the airport and the first aircraft was inbound to Yakima.  I don't think that is too bad of a response time.   

Thank you sir for providing some solid information on the topic!  Much appreciation for the volunteers who worked the mission.

[SeattleSarge]

Update on Caravan crash and NTSB efforts...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/334950_plane11.html

-SeattleSarge