Plane missing in Antarctica

[flyincanuck]

He's effectively made us all curious. Well played.
Hoping for the best, and a break in the weather.

[ajet32]

I sent a Facebook message to Bob several days ago saying we need a meet at the Port to swap stories. I expect that meet and a good story, be there Bob. Stay warm!

[rigpiggy]

Does anybody have a breakdown of what the Borek survival kit contains? Obviously the crew would carry some personal gear extra. Does Borek use Skytrac or other satracker system as the news showed" screenshots at the rcc"

[CFR]

Well trained + well equipped = very survivable ...

... but it can't hurt to have fingers and toes crossed!

Looking forward to a positive outcome!

[Doc]

Well trained + well equipped = very survivable ...

... but it can't hurt to have fingers and toes crossed!

Looking forward to a positive outcome!

Very true statement. Positive thoughts only allowed here! Ski equipped aircraft. Best driver in the business. NO reason to suspect they're not enjoying a cup of tea right now. My toes are cramping up, but still crossed!
C'Mon home Bob.

[ilovelamp]

I personally can't wait for Bob to tell his story of survival right here on avcanada.

[ahramin]

The only good sign is that the beacon is still transmitting but that's a very good sign of the shape of the airplane.

Could someone please pm me the other names?

Hope to hear your tale soon Bob & crew.

[Galaxy]

Last report I read said the beacon has stopped transmitting.

Thoughts and prayers going out to the crew. There's no one better to be with right now than Bob. Hang in there guys. Help is on the way.

[flyinthebug]

The only good sign is that the beacon is still transmitting but that's a very good sign of the shape of the airplane.

Only in an effort to keep information accurate and up to date... Mike Roberts (Mission Coordinator-NZ SAR) stated on CTV news just now that the ELT has stopped transmitting. Im going to speculate its just a dead battery and Bob and crew are tucked safely in their tent.

Bring em home Bob!

[bizjets101]

Jan 24 11:00 est - CTV reporter speaking to New Zealand rescue coordinators state another Twin Otter currently en route to over fly where ELT signal was emitting.

Also stated two fixed wing (1 C130)(1 DC-3) standing by, two helicopters standing by, Alpine aerial drop rescue team standing by.

[sky's the limit]

24 January 2013, 5.20pm

Bad weather continues to prevent searchers travelling to the site of a beacon activated by an aircraft with a crew of three Canadian men, overdue on a flight in Antarctica from the South Pole to Terra Nova Bay.

The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) is coordinating the search, working with United States, Canadian and Italian authorities, after the Twin Otter aircraft’s emergency locator transmitter was activated at around 10pm last night (Wednesday, 23 January).

The beacon is transmitting from the Northern end of the Queen Alexandra Range, within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue Region – halfway between the South Pole and McMurdo Station – approximately 680km (370 nautical miles) in each direction.

There is solid cloud cover in the area, high winds of up to 170km/hr, and heavy snow.

Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator John Ashby said a DC3 aircraft had spent around five hours circling above the site of the beacon, but heavy cloud had prevented any visual contact. It has now returned to McMurdo Base.

Fixed wing aircraft and a number of helicopters, including a Southern Lakes (New Zealand) helicopter on contract to Antarctica New Zealand at Scott Base, remain on standby should weather conditions allow them to travel to the area.

“The forecast for the next 12 hours is for similar conditions, but if there is a break in the weather the joint New Zealand and US field rescue team is ready to go from McMurdo Base at short notice.”

The DC3 crew will now be stood down overnight, and given the weather is not forecast to improve in the next 12 hours, will not be returning to the scene until tomorrow (NZ time).

NOTE TO MEDIA: Therefore, it is not expected that any further updates will be issued until approximately 0800 Friday 25 January NZT (1100 Thursday 24 January Pacific time, 1500 Atlantic time), unless there are significant developments in the meantime.

[BTyyj]

Im going to speculate its just a dead battery

As I understand it, based on what Maritime New Zealand said, the battery life on the ELT equipped on the aircraft is only supposed to last for 24 hours, so with that given, the fact that the beacon stopped isn't unexpected. It seems SAR has a very accurate picture of where the aircraft is, so it shouldn't affect the search in any way.

Hopefully the next weather forecast will bring good news so they can get Bob and the crew out of there, but until then, stay warm guys.

[godsrcrazy]

Lets just hope that the ELT was intentionally shut off to save the battery. If the weather is zero zero and blowing at 70kts they may have shut it off waiting for clearer weather when you know it can be tracked and seen.

[JerryRig]

Lets just hope that the ELT was intentionally shut off to save the battery. If the weather is zero zero and blowing at 70kts they may have shut it off waiting for clearer weather when you know it can be tracked and seen.

+1

I understand the ELT battery to last several days. It's only been 30(ish) hours. I hope is was shut down intentionally.

JR

[gopher_killer]

To Bob and his crew, stay warm. Help is comming.

For those of you that are trying to get to the crew, fly safe and keep your head in the cockpit.

[sky's the limit]

Lets just hope that the ELT was intentionally shut off to save the battery. If the weather is zero zero and blowing at 70kts they may have shut it off waiting for clearer weather when you know it can be tracked and seen.

+1

I understand the ELT battery to last several days. It's only been 30(ish) hours. I hope is was shut down intentionally.

JR

First rule of ELT usage: NEVER turn it off.

It's done it's job, they know where the site is, and given the temps it's most likely just a failed battery. Please don't ever shut your ELT off should you have the occasion to activate one.

[BTyyj]

Does Borek use Skytrac or other satracker system as the news showed" screenshots at the rcc"

Pictures from the RCC show Borek is using Skytrac (verify?). Aircraft they are flying is C-GKBC.

[DH Driver]

406 ELTs are one of the best recent additions to airplanes imho, as long as they get the signal once that's all they need... GPS accuracy.
Here's hoping the weather lets up soon.

[AEROBAT]

Lets just hope that the ELT was intentionally shut off to save the battery. If the weather is zero zero and blowing at 70kts they may have shut it off waiting for clearer weather when you know it can be tracked and seen.

+1

I understand the ELT battery to last several days. It's only been 30(ish) hours. I hope is was shut down intentionally.

JR

Part of the problem locating Marten Hartwell was the fact he was shutting off his ELT intermitantly to save the battery. Never shut off the ELT.

[ez4u2say]

Other than the Capt, has the complete crew list been made public..I have a friend working for them.

[shamrock104]

I am sure that these guys wont have intentionally shut off their ELT . I can only imagine the harsh flying conditions that these crews are up against on a day to day basis. Speculation should not creep in at this point. What is needed right now is a break in the weather in order for the professionals to get in and do their thing.The very hope that these guys are aware that aircraft are overhead will keep them going and keep spirits high. The guys on the rescue side I believe will be more than "motivated" knowing that they have a "few of their own" on the ground and in need of their help which is needed now and not later.

[trumpet]

Hello folks -

Sorry to intrude here, but my name is Bob Weber and I'm a reporter with The Canadian Press covering the Borek situation in Antarctica. I'm trying to learn what I can about Bob Heath and it sounds as if a number of you here know him well. If any of you care to tell me a little bit about him, I'd love to hear it. Give me a call at 780-412-6259. Thanks.

Bob

[Lost Lake]

Total Shock! One minute Bob was supposed to be heading home, then a last minute mission for the Italians. Bob was my training capt. The best in the industry. Short of a cfit or catastrophic equiment failure, they should be all right.

My thoughts are with you Bob. You have to make it back. I owe you a rum and coke!!

[bizjets101]

Next press released pushed back until (at earliest) 14:00 EST Toronto time.


Departed Amundsen-Scott (USA) for Terra Nova (Italy)

[cncpc]

Would there be some means of communicating with the aircraft they hear flying overhead, independent of their normal on board radio gear?