Missing Thai helicopter crew found safe in remote northern Myanmar

[SeaVisionBurma]

RANGOON — A Thai helicopter enlisted in the hunt for two Burmese mountain climbers has been found with all of its occupants surviving, some 10 days after the aircraft went missing in northern Kachin State, according to the foundation organizing search efforts.

From Irrawaddy.org, by San Yamin Aung

Tay Za, right, kisses the cheek of his personal assistant Shwe Yin Taw Gyi in Lan Sarr village, Kachin State, after that latter went

missing along with two others aboard a helicopter on Sept. 27. (Photo: Facebook / Htoo Foundation)

The helicopter carrying three people went missing on Sept. 27. Ground control lost contact with the aircraft about 20 minutes after it took off from Putao headed for Tahomdum village, where it was attempting to deliver supplies to a team participating in the search for the mountain climbers on Mount Hkakabo Razi.

On Tuesday, the Htoo Foundation, whose patron Tay Za is one of Burma’s biggest tycoons, said the helicopter had been found with all three men on board still alive.

Read the full article here: Missing Helicopter found in Burma with all crew alive

[SeaVisionBurma]

3 From Missing Helicopter Walk to Myanmar Village

YANGON, Myanmar — Oct 7, 2014, 8:48 AM ET

Associated Press

Three people who were on board a Thai rescue helicopter that disappeared 10 days ago were safe Tuesday afternoon after walking "many miles" to reach a Myanmar village, a foundation searching for them said.

Photos shared by the Htoo Foundation on Facebook showed the trio looking fit and well.

"All three of them walked for many miles" and reached Lan Sar village in northern Kachin state in the afternoon, foundation spokesman Phyo Ko Ko said.

The helicopter left Putao airport in Kachin state on Sept. 27 to drop food for a team searching for two Myanmar mountain climbers who scaled Southeast Asia's highest peak on Aug. 31. Phyo Ko Ko declined to say what happened to the helicopter.

Read more here: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/missing-thai-helicopter-walk-village-26012498

[SeaVisionBurma]

and thanks to RichCor for giving us the heads up on this...

[JenniferSG]

Wow, that's great news. I had assumed the worst. They must have quite an adventure story to tell.

[canuckamuck]

Two reports and not a single word about whether they made an emergency landing or crashed. No word either on the cause. Journalism is a right mess these days.

[Fritzz]

Probably all too embarrassing what there might be to report, canuckamuck. This should be an interesting one not just for the insurers of the aircraft but also for the air accident investigators of 2 countries involved. Immediate questions for any investigator:

- What did the flight plan say they were intending to do - if any was submitted

- Did the crew and passengers have oxygen on board for flights above 12,000 feet (the mountain is nearly 20,000 ft high

- did the pilot fly in visual flight rules or did he push on beyond - considering billionairic pressure felt breathing down his neck

- why did the occupants of the craft not stay with the aircraft after it assumingly made a crash landing - survival rule No 1

One has sympathy with the investigation team that has several big jobs in front of them, not least to gain access of the wreckage in high mountainous terrain, but also to find the cause of the accident in the face of several human sensitivities that might have played a role.

I have sympathy with the lead investigator if he gave in to these pressures by blaming the engine. Or even the tail rotor? Wouldn't like to get in yet another helicopter to take the same course up that mountain at the end of a still active monsoon season to hopefully land at the crash site.

Bonvoyage

[rickirs]

Maybe next time anyone who flies out or hikes out into the jungle or back country, especially on a search and rescue mission, takes an emergency signaling device with them or at least a satellite phone IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.