Coast Guard Helo down off WA coast

[swisster]

I just came across this:

 

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Coast-Guard-helicopter-down-off-LaPush-Wash-97951289.html

[Lindsey]

Oh sh*t, I hope they are all found okay! That's admirable work they do.

[RagMan]

Dang, thats too bad. Hope they find that fourth man.

[SBuzzkill]

Does not sound good :\

[OneCoqui]

Only one survivor out of a crew of four from the Jayhawk; thanks to some locals from a nearby fishing village who rescued the crewman. God Bless.

[Lindsey]

Rest in peace, Coasties.

[arotrhd]

All-hands notification rec'd earlier today:

 

To: ALAUX

From: CHDIRAUX

Subj: UPDATE 1 - LOSS OF COAST GUARD AIRCRAFT 6017 -033/10

 

 

1.FYI:

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: Papp, Robert ADM

Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 2:36 PM

Subject: Update 1 - Loss of Coast Guard Aircraft 6017

 

Shipmates,

 

I want to update the Coast Guard family on the status of the crew of CG6017. I am deeply saddened to inform you that the three fatalities in yesterday's mishap are LT Sean Kruger, AMT1 Adam Hoke, and AMT2 Brett Banks. The fourth air crewmember, LT Lance Leone, survived the crash and is currently recovering from injuries. The combined efforts of all those who reached out and responded, have provided some small measure of comfort for the families of the deceased and injured crew members and their command. In times like these, our Service has always been able to count on each other for support. It's part of the manners of our profession.

 

LT Kruger, AMT1 Hoke and AMT2 Banks collectively leave careers which serve as examples of our Service's core values and underscore what America expects from its Coast Guard. Their sacrifice reflects our country's best values and principles.

 

Further, I am deeply concerned with the number of serious aviation mishaps that have occurred in the past 22 months. I am addressing this separately and will update you in the future. For now, we should and must focus our attention on caring for and supporting our Shipmates and their families.

 

Our Service conducts hazardous missions every day both on and above the water, and ashore. The loss of these three exceptional Coast Guardsmen reinforces that fact. I ask that you remember this crew's sacrifice and honor their lives.

 

Information regarding memorial services will be passed when the details are

available.

 

Semper Paratus,

 

Admiral Bob Papp

Commandant

 

Semper Paratus and Godspeed to 6017.

 

-WATCH FOR THE PATTERNS, WATCH FOR THE WIRES-

[rjl2001]

Another sad day for Coasties. According to this newspaper article article, witnesses said the Jayhawk hit power lines which in turn tore off it's tail before impacting the water. Considering these aircrews fly into some of the worst possible environments in the worst conditions, it seems disappointing that power lines could be the cause. At least on the positive side there is one survivor. RIP to the rest of the crew of CG6017.

Edited July 9, 2010 by rjl2001

[flyingseapig]

!

Edited July 28, 2010 by flyingseapig

[Lindsey]

First off, this is indeed sad news, and condolences to the families. But I have to play the devils advocate here also. The crew was on a ferry flight from Astoria, OR to Sitka Alaska after training was complete at CGAS Astoria. What are they doing flying at 250 ft AGL in an area they are unfamiliar with when there was no mission requirements to be operating that low? They were not in the process of saving anyones life at that time. Did they even have the proper charts with them? Unknown! It was obviously pilot error hitting wires, and what was the rest of the crew thinking? This is a case of pure and simple "flathatting" or showing off and lack of Aircrew coordination, with nobody questioning the fact they were flying so low in an unfamiliar area with no mission requirement to do so.

 

The quotes by Mr. Papp of "Their sacrifice reflects our country's best values and principles." and "Our Service conducts hazardous missions every day both on and above the water, and ashore. The loss of these three exceptional Coast Guardsmen reinforces that fact.", are way off. The pilot or pilots destroyed a multi million dollar aircraft paid by taxpayers and essentially committed "manslaughter" in which the taxpayers will pay for the families for years to come for an avoidable accident. The pilots and crew were all at fault for their dangerously low flight in unfamiliar areas when there was no requirements to do so. It was a simple ferry flight from point A to point B that resulted in 3 unnecessary deaths. This does not exemplify "exceptional Coast Guardsmen" as stated by Mr. Papp, but shows unacceptable recklessness.

 

Once again, my condolences to the families, as for the rest of the CG members don't let the pilots kill you, use aircrew coordination and be assertive, and don't get complacent in the cockpit! Watch them wires!

 

Are you joking?!

 

Unless you have some "insider info," you do NOT, I repeat, do NOT know what happened. Yes, they hit wires (apparently). That does not mean nothing else happened (perhaps, mechanical) that caused them to hit the wires.

 

Even if it was a "stupid mistake," to say this is "manslaughter" and to not "let the pilots kill you," is f*cked up, juvenile, and absolutely ignorant. These are the same guys that would have plucked you from the water without regard to whatever stupid, idiotic things you've done in YOUR life (like we all have). Yes, this was a mistake (if we are to take the news reports at their word, without a proper investigation being concluded). Yes, it was deadly. That is no excuse to rip their heads off posthumously.

 

Get a grip.

 

 

P.S. The fiery Welsh (more fiery than the Irish) in me is coming out. Sorry, but this sh*t rubs me the wrong way. I have nothing against you personally, but for God's sake, don't you have anything better to do than rip their heads off before a proper and full investigation has been concluded?

[yzchopper]

I have not read any of the reports, so I ask you this flyingseapig... How do you know this "What are they doing flying at 250 ft AGL in an area they are unfamiliar with when there was no mission requirements to be operating that low?" This for all I know (with out reading any reports) was a routine ferry flight via a route flown many times.