Helicopters Had Vital Part In Crash Search

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30177, 8 July 1963, Page 12

Helicopters Had Vital Part In Crash Search

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 7. Official reports from the Civil Aviation Administration, the police, the National Airways Corporation and Search and Rescue Organisation officers who took part in the search for the wrecked aircraft in the Kaimai Ranges last week will all emphasise the vital role played by helicopters. Senior officers of all organisations confirmed this before the search headquarters at the Gordon quarry was wound up.

Dramatic proof of their effectiveness in rescue work was given during the final stages of the operation. More than 60 round trips were made by the two civilian machines piloted by Messrs M. J. Alexander and J Beijen during the day. Flying from early morning to nightfall, they shuttled more than 30 men to the scene of the crash, dropped heavy equipment and food for the working parties, then brought out all the parts of wreckage needed for the official accident inquiry and the remains of those killed At times, the skids of the planes were on the ground at the Gordon quarry headquarters for only four or five seconds as passengers jumped out, new equipment was hooked on to the trigger release mechanism and the helicopters were away.

None who witnessed this striking demonstration in the race against time and unpredictable weather was more enthusiastic than Wing Commander O. J. O’Brien, inspector of air accidents for the Air Department. ‘‘Magnificent Job” "Perhaps this operation in extremely rugged country would not have been impossible without the helicopters as the search and rescue teams have done a magnificent job.” he said "But nevertheless the helicopters have made it easier and faster. The recovery might well nigh have been impossible without them in such inaccessible countrv.”

Wing Commander O’Brien —and police and rescue experts—estimated that the recovery operation would have lasted at least a week without the helicopters. ’The helicopters are particularly suited to working on improvised launching pads and have proved their, ability to gest into tight spots,” he said. ‘There is room for both small and large helicopters in rescue work.”

Even before the plane was found, the helicopters were covering ground thoroughly that would have taken 100 men a full day to search. The distance from the “trig” landing spot to the wreckage in the ravine was 400 yards as the crow flies —and the helicopter. The only possible route on foot around a ridge to a spot 75ft above the wreck, took up to two hours through the bush. Even when a rough path was slashed and sawn, it was still nearly an hour’s journey. From the quarry headquarters to the “trig”—a two to three-hour journey by foot —helicopters took only minutes. Radio requests from working parties for saws, axes and crowbars were fulfilled within fiva minutes.

In May last year, the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr McAlpine) said there were few instances in New Zealand aviation history where the special features of helicopter operation could be fully exploited. None who worked at the Gordon quarry last week supported this claim.