BBC: Two RAF Aircraft Crash in Moray Firth

Post by **steve149c** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:41 pm

I too hope the other crew is found swiftly & safely.

Regarding location - aren't the ejection seats/crew personal rafts fitted with locator beacons? 1 mile visibility will make it hard work, but I am sure that a very through search is being made, one thing the coastguard is good at it search patterns and locating people!

Hopefully enough assests on scene. Let's pray for a good outcome - I don't think cold will be too much of an issue with crew immersion suits, and the maewest should have self inflated?

Here's hoping.

Post by **phoenixegmh** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:54 pm

Steve,

It is my understanding that the new satellite PLBs are manually activated, therefore if (and I really hope it's not the case) they didn't get out, then the beacons would probably not have been active.

Rgds

Alec

Post by **phoenixegmh** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 6:57 pm

They will have life rafts as part of their seat pan kit, life vests on and hopefully some form of immersion suit or thermals.

Post by **steve149c** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:10 pm

Alec,

Thanks for the clarification here

Steve

Post by **Stroudy** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:18 pm

My families thoughts are with the two missing crew members at their loved ones. Heres to a swift recovery safe and well to dry land.

Post by **garyscott** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 7:42 pm

phoenixegmh wrote:Steve,

It is my understanding that the new satellite PLBs are manually activated, therefore if (and I really hope it's not the case) they didn't get out, then the beacons would probably not have been active.

Rgds

Alec

They are manually activated unless automatically activated upon ejection. The signal can be picked up for a short while if the PLB is submerged, but the signal receiver would have to be extremely close (not really more than 100 - 500 yards) to locate it.

I really do hope they are in the life rafts seeing just how much of their survival gear they can use before being found. (Before anyone jumps on that comment, its an old aircrew joke, you are in the drink anyway - may as well use it all!)

Post by **phoenixegmh** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:22 pm

Gary,

Not wishing to necessarily debate whilst the guys are still missing but I believe that was the case with the old 243.0 PLBs, they were wired into the seats.

For the new 406.0 Satellite PLBs they are manually activated and GPS based. That info from the BOI info from last year's Tornado ditch and a serving member who's had use of the PLB type in use.

Hope all turns out well for them

Post by **gonk** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:55 pm

Does the aircraft have a sonar locator.

Post by **swayne01** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:39 pm

Does make me wish they hadn't retired the Nimrods. Their Searchwater radar would be very useful right now.

Here's to hoping all the crews are safe and well.

Post by **garyscott** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:45 pm

406.0MHz you can think of as a broad-band shout out, lets you know someone is in the poo.
406.0MHz can relay the general area of the PLB/EPIRB.
121.5/243 MHz are your closing in freq's that can be homed on.
PLB should cease operating at about the 22hr mark from first operation. (Initial 1/4sec data burst, then similar data bursts every 50sec until deac or power fail).

Hoping for a happy conclusion. . . . .

Post by **Richard B** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:53 pm

swayne01 wrote:Does make me wish they hadn't retired the Nimrods. Their Searchwater radar would be very useful right now.

Here's to hoping all the crews are safe and well.

Nimrod was fantastic at this type of thing, all the gear and long loiter times and flying in anyweather almost,
Not knocking the SAR guys in anyway thou.

Search been called off so reports the BBC news,poor weather.

Post by **Richard B** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:04 am

All rumor or speculation on the outcome of the crew, any links to unofficial sites have and will be removed.
until official MOD or main stream media make a proper press release,
Many thanks chaps for understanding.

Post by **Velvet Glove** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 7:57 am

Latest from the BBC this morning ~

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-h ... s-18700794" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My thoughts and prayers, as I’m sure everyone, is with the missing guys & their families ~ hoping for a positive and speedy outcome.

Post by **Reptile 1** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:50 am

Search for the missing 2 has not resumed this morning according to the BBC

''BBC Scotland understands efforts in the firth are now focused on recovery.''

Post by **Blackcat1** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:55 am

Very sad, and still no word on condition of the other 2 crew?

Post by **Reptile 1** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:00 am

No mate but it don't look good. Recent Tornado Ejections have stated within a few hours of their condition but nothing so far on the 2 found

rtv · Post by **rtv** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:05 am

oh fudge. Thoughts are with all concerned up at Lossie.

Post by **Blackcat1** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:07 am

Oh god! fingers still x though!!

Post by **page_verify** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:27 am

I think some should re-read this morning's news update.

My condolences to all of those affected by this tragic event.

Post by **Velvet Glove** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:10 pm

Even though I tried to remain optimistic, the BBC 1 o’clock news stated the search for ‘survivors’ has now been called off and this has become a ‘recovery’ operation.