A Blackhawk helicopter dropped off the 12-person team, specifically trained for such operations, about a quarter mile below the wreckage, which was about 2½ miles up the side of the mountain.
"They were going to climb up to it," said 1st Lt. Mark Young of the Colorado Civil Air Patrol. "With the recent snow, the rocks are moving, and two of them were almost killed. We're trying to get them out now because it's too dangerous."
He said the Blackhawk then lifted the team above the crash, so that they could climb down to it. By Sunday evening, searchers had reached the site and were removing bodies.
The lack of a flight plan "is extremely frustrating," said Lt. Young of the Civil Air Patrol. "If one had been filed, a search would have been initiated Friday, rather than Saturday."
For what it's worth. . .
As an Air Force PJ, I was one of those guys on the helicopters (not Blackhawks, though, those came after) that risked my ass on countless sides of mountains digging victims and survivors of plane crashes out--primarily out west in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, etc. If you'd seen what we'd seen on those mountain sides and valleys, you'd swear off flying in the Rockies for the rest of your life.
Mountain flying is different. Way different. Those of you who live and fly out West know it. Those of us who live and fly in the flatlands don't. I have a turbo plane that can fly over. Need O2--another potential complication. I've flown in and around the mountains in a SuperCub--winds and unseen weather around the next peak make for more potential complications.
PLEASE know what you are doing before you attempt a flight into an unfamiliar airport/destination in the mountains. Call the FBO, get on a forum and ask questions--LOTS of them. Get ahold of experienced flyers/instructors at your local field who have mountain time and pick their brains. Part with a little cash and take them up to simulate what they can.
And above all, if anything doesn't look right or feel right while you're approaching the crestline, TURN BACK.
The O-6 who drove our Jolly used to look down at the crash site right before we were headed out the door on the cable and would remark, "The mountain won again."
The mountain never loses.
I've been ridiculed and scoffed at more than once on the red board about filing a flight plan. I've also survived a near-fatal night crash that left me in the hospital for almost three months. Flight plan went a long ways into helping me out of that pickle.
For every reason you can give me for not filing a flight plan, I can give you one better--and that is: It can never hurt, but it sure as hell can help.
Regards.
-JD
