What were the regulatory requirements for this flight since it was not directly lifesaving flight but top cover?
Surely it's irrelevant what the specific role of an aircraft is in a rescue? They are all on 'rescue' callsigns and all part of the same team, so in the same regulatory framework. I think HC's comments allude to a different issue.
Nooby - I have heard a suggestion that a vital part of the TR assembly was one of the items of wreckage found at Black Rock - I sincerely hope not.
Well I'd rather it was found and can be counted or discounted as an area of concern, rather than be a missing piece on the sea bed.