A memory of the days when Nimrod aircraft provided SAR cover.
On 23 June 1985 Air India Boeing 747 Flt AI182, with 329 persons on board disappeared off the radar screens 100nm southwest of Fastnet. A Nimrod, XV232, crewed by 201 Sqn Crew 3 was scrambled to the last reported location and reported the sight of flotsam and un-inflated liferafts. The aircraft captain took on the role of Scene of Search Commander coordinating the activities of helicopters and surface ships. Over the next night and day 201 Sqn Crew 4, Crew 7 and Crew 3 also flew on the search task. During the operation a total of four 201 Sqn crewed Nimrods logged 96hrs 40mins, of these 21hrs 30mins were while “on task” in the search area.