Jayhawk down

[Dutch Darkmatter]

Sad news from the Washington coast today.  A Jayhawk asigned to Air Station Sitka was on a flight from Astoria Oregon to Sitka and apparently clipped some transmission wires.  Of the four person crew there was only one survivor.

[Lynn Parkin]

Thanks to 1t7me for relaying this message from the USCG Auxiliary, on this sad occasion:

From: Papp, Robert ADM
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 8:19 PM
Subject: Loss of Coast Guard Aircraft 6017

Shipmates,

It is with deep regret and sadness that I report the crash of CG6017 today
along the coast near La Push, WA.  CG6017, flown by a four person crew from
Air Station Sitka, was in transit from Astoria, Oregon, to Sitka, Alaska.  A
multi-agency search and rescue effort located the four crewmembers; one was
severely injured and three were deceased.

Although many of you want to know the names and status of the crew, we are
following the appropriate notification procedures.  We will release
additional information to all of you as soon as possible.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the officers and crew of Air Station Sitka
and their families.  Our immediate focus is on providing the necessary care
and support to the families of the crew and their shipmates.  We will
dispatch every resource and provide support services required to meet their
needs.  The Seventeenth District Commander, RADM Colvin, is headed to Air
Station Sitka to stand by our shipmates and their families.

We will conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the
mishap to determine the cause and help prevent future incidents.  CG6017
salvage and recovery efforts are underway.

Additionally, I am directing operational commanders to conduct a safety
stand down for every Air Station in the Coast Guard.  The details of which
will be conveyed in separate correspondence, a personal for message to Air
Station commanding officers.

I ask all of you to please take a moment to pause and reflect on your duties
and responsibilities as you stand the watch.

Semper Paratus,

Admiral Bob Papp
Commandant


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[Dutch Darkmatter]

What is doubly tragic is that I did a quick check of the charts, and the transmission lines are clearly marked.  They cross from the mainland at 250 msl.  Normally 500 msl is the recommended safe transit altitude in non populated areas, although over water a pilot has some latitude as long as they remain clear of other vessels, aircraft and Structures  This may be another sad example of complacency breeding tragedy.

[Xi Larnia]

indeed... they probably flew that route many times and thought they knew it.

Flags at Ursula Bay and NorthShore are at Half Mast

[1t7me secretspy]

thanks Lynn for posting it never thought to post it here