Search for Beech Baron

[gyrosa]

After speaking to Pieter Smith this morning, he and I decided that the only type of aircraft that can be used in this mission is a gyro. Why, - cause we can do it low and slow!!!!
The next question was who do we make contact with and hey presto after two calls, we came up with an answer. These people are going to e-mail us with all the data thus far, they also arrange the permits etc on the Mosambique side, Pieter is going to talk to the SAAF for logistic support (would love to have a C130/C160 available to transport fuel AND gyros).
If we can pull this one off are there any guys interested in joining?

[Janpilot]

Wens ek was al klaar om te helpmeet dié soort sorties

[gyrosa]

Latest on the Beech Baron saga.
It does appear that the Mocambiquan have prohibited any search lower than 800 feet. No rotor craft are allowed in the search at all. They have requested that the search be called off and the reason is instability on their side. They are apparently going to have elections soon (???????) and they still are fighting the bush war between the government forces and Renamo.
I cannot see why our military should not be allowed in (the last time I looked we were still very much part of the AU). Now, let them &@%%*$# put their money where their mouth is. If this was some African President, we would even have the yanks looking for him. Mocambique does somehow forget who helped them during the floods a few years ago!!!!
I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP!!!!!!

[Rampant Rat]

Morning guys ( and a girl or 2)
I've been watching this situation for a while now. The leader of Renamo has pulled out of multi-party talks and retreated to his traditional military base which is at the foot of Gorongosa Mountain and right in the middle of the present search area.He has armed support and commands control of the entire area Beira to the Zim border I'm not sure who put the restrictions on the use of Rotor craft and the 800ft minimum height but I suspect it may be an attempt by the government to prevent any supply of weapons or logistics to Renamo at their headquarters.The situation is very tense there. It may be restrictions have been imposed by Renamo themselves as they might be nervous of an attack by Zimbabwe heli-borne troops like the one in the late 80's. (Mugabe is an ally of Frelimo). If it is Renamo who have imposed the restrictions, I'm sure a discussion with Mr Dhlakama might get that lifted.
I wonder if the grass runway is still operational at the Renamo Headquarters?
My thoughts are with the missing pilots family, and I am truly grateful that we have heroes such as the S&R teams which have given up everything to assist in the search.

[gyrosa]

Hi All,
Please excuse my ignorance in the ever changing African political scene, but who is Mr DhlaKama and where do I contact him?
Time is running out and yesterday I mentioned to a friend that if this was some African president or government minister, you would have the American Marines here as well to help with the search, but for two unknown "whities" things can go wrong very quickly.
I am sorry if this sounds political, but I do remember a time when Mozambique was flooded out and our Aero Club as well as SAAF took in food and water on a voluntary basis to assist these guys, hauling them from crocodile invested waters, etc. A fine return this is!!!

[Rampant Rat]

Hi Gyrosa,
Who did you get the information about the Rotor craft and 800ft restriction from? I'm talking to the search team in Moz in 10 mins.

[Rampant Rat]

I have just spoken to Richard who's part of the team in charge of the S&R in Mozambique. Sorry guys we aren't going to be allowed in to the area to join the search for various reasons. 1 - The 800ft/no rotor craft restriction is real and being enforced. 2 - The local choppers have been grounded and not allowed into the area. 3- Only one of the S&R planes in Moz is allowed to be airborne over the area. 4- There is a serious fuel supply shortage to keep the existing search aircraft going, and all those thirsty Ela's and Magni's would suck the tanks dry....

[Learjet]

As someone involved with a search and rescue unit (police reservist diver) for over 20 years I can understand the frustration and disappointment with the current Moz situation. Saving lives, or at the very least, bringing closure to the families is what every rescuer strives for. However, in my many years of heading up the police reservist dive team in Cape Town we've sometimes been faced with the unenviable task of informing a family that the search for their missing loved one could not continue or in certain circumstances, could not even commence.

This is because the first principle in search and rescue is the safety of the rescuers. As such the prevailing conditions, situational circumstances, available resources and overall risk factors all need to be weighed up and balanced against the S&R objective and probable outcome.

The sad reality is that given the elapsed time, the odds are simply not in favour of a life-saving or "rescue" outcome for the missing pilots. That's not to say a miracle isn't possible, but the unfortunately probability is that this is now a "recovery" rather than a 'rescue" operation. Add to this the resources cost, the significant threat scenario posed by political instability in the region (to the extent of armed militia potentially targetting low-flying aircraft), the inhospitable terrain being over-flown, and it becomes evident why the need exists to rationally and objectively evaluate the risk factors which the folks involved in the search operation are being exposed to - and balance these with the potential risk to the rescuers lives in the quest to locate the allready probably dead.

The Moz authorities have recognised and communicated what is obviously a significant threat being posed by the "instability" in that region (not without some embarassment I'm sure) - to the extent that Dhlakama's warlord posturing and his insurrectionist talk could genuinely compromise the safety of ongoing search operations in the area - and low-level / heli or gyro flights in particular.

The reality is that "time is not running out" - it has already run out. After the first 'golden hour", and with probable finality after day 4... and with it the inevitable change to the "risk to rescuer" versus "potential outcome" equation. A "recovery" simply doesn't warrant the same risk to life as a "rescue" and the Moz authorities decision to call off the search / prohibit low-level operations in light of the unstable military situation developing in the area, is in my opinion, unfortunately the correct one. The likely outcome from locating the downed Baron simply doesn't justify the additional risk to life at this stage.

[M I Claase]

Dave your comments are realistic and I can see "you been there and done that". The outcome % is very low for the risk involved. If there are still survivors, after this long elapsed time, the chances are good that they will servive.

[Tinkerbell]

Where days ago we were praying for lives to be saved now we need to pray for families left behind, for them understanding why nothing can be done, for them knowing that we are all deeply sadened by this, for some form of closure, and, yes, always, for a miracle.

[gyrosa]

Dave and Juanita, I must confess you are correct in all respects.
It just "cheeses" me off that there is one guy, going for "glory" and can't give a damn for his fellow man, and is prepared to jeopardise the whole mission because "he is the MAN!!!!
I just cannot see any change in the attitude in Africa from the "new" leaders point of view - each one wants his little kingdom and rule it in a medieval manner and when the dark stuff hits the fan in his kingdom, he is there to collect handouts.

[PieterKotze]

Hi Gyronaut,
I see on E News that the Beech Baron has been found. Any feedback?