CAP Talk

Operations => Emergency Services & Operations => Topic started by: Fifinella on September 17, 2007, 04:49:56 AM

Title: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Fifinella on September 17, 2007, 04:49:56 AM
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.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/lacroixbsd/HeloNTSB.jpg)

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





Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: arajca on September 17, 2007, 05:30:53 AM
Congrats on a good job!

As an aside, how did you justify running boards on your van?
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: ♠SARKID♠ on September 17, 2007, 06:46:04 AM
Awesome! Congradulations!
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: jimmydeanno on September 17, 2007, 12:27:34 PM
Quote from: arajca on September 17, 2007, 05:30:53 AM
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.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Eclipse on September 17, 2007, 12:55:40 PM
Nice job - and good staging on the photo, too.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: ladyreferee on September 17, 2007, 06:29:27 PM
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! 
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Fifinella on September 18, 2007, 02:03:42 AM
Quote from: arajca on September 17, 2007, 05:30:53 AM
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.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Fifinella on September 21, 2007, 04:24:57 AM
Quote from: ladyreferee on September 17, 2007, 06:29:27 PM
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:
(http://redacted%20at%20request%20of%20member)

Edit- redacted photo -TA
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Capt.karl on September 30, 2007, 06:01:05 PM
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!
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: RiverAux on September 30, 2007, 07:31:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: SDF_Specialist on September 30, 2007, 08:46:04 PM
Good job on the find, but I agree that a smiling photo is inappropriate in this situation. Still, good job.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: floridacyclist on September 30, 2007, 11:52:10 PM
Good find. At least now I'll recognize you at the Inland SAR course.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: lordmonar on October 01, 2007, 02:45:56 AM
Great Job Judy!

Good to see some of us are getting some ground time!
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: JC004 on October 01, 2007, 03:19:12 AM
That green patch...does it take up like its own row of seats in a CAP van?   :o
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Fifinella on October 01, 2007, 03:56:52 AM
Quote from: Capt.karl on September 30, 2007, 06:01:05 PM
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.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Fifinella on October 01, 2007, 04:03:08 AM
Quote from: JC004 on October 01, 2007, 03:19:12 AM
That green patch...does it take up like its own row of seats in a CAP van?   :o

Yeah, we'll probably make the next batch a bit smaller...The patch is almost bigger than some of our first year cadets.  ;D
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Fifinella on October 01, 2007, 04:09:10 AM
Quote from: RiverAux on September 30, 2007, 07:31:13 PM
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.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: ♠SARKID♠ on October 10, 2007, 09:10:48 PM
http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=6192&newsID=3598&year=2007&month=10

Congrads, you made the nationals website!
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: pixelwonk on October 10, 2007, 09:20:14 PM
Quote from: Fifinella on October 01, 2007, 04:09:10 AM
...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.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: Fifinella on October 11, 2007, 05:14:59 AM
Quote from: ?SARKID? on October 10, 2007, 09:10:48 PM
http://www.cap.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=display&nodeID=6192&newsID=3598&year=2007&month=10

Congrads, you made the nationals website!
Thanks.
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: ladyreferee on October 11, 2007, 05:51:26 PM
Hey, just pictures of your's and Michelle's smiling faces is enough for me ;D

Three weeks ago I participated in a missing person search in the middle of the night - NESA certainly was more than enough to do this the right way efficiently!

I hope this just gets more people to take the GTL course there. 




Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: mamadinos on October 13, 2007, 12:12:57 AM
Quote from: ladyreferee on October 11, 2007, 05:51:26 PM
Hey, just pictures of your's and Michelle's smiling faces is enough for me ;D



I hope this just gets more people to take the GTL course there. 



Thank you, Cheryl.  I miss everyone from NESA!  Good times & training!
BTW, that's my daughter in the pic. :)
Title: Re: Search Mission 9/15
Post by: ladyreferee on October 17, 2007, 08:16:06 PM
Really?  I thought it was you looking young and good because you've finally had some decent sleep since NESA!  :D