Royal Navy Lynx down off Cornish coast

[sss]

http://www.ntlworld.com/partners/itn/britain/1573386.php


A Royal Navy Lynx helicopter with four people on board has crashed off the south-west coast of England.

A major search is underway, a spokesman for the Royal Air Force said.

The helicopter went missing during a rout9ine flight, 40 kms (25 miles) off the Lizard peninsular in Cornwall.

The spokesman said: "There is a major search underway for four people.

"It involves two Royal Navy helicopters from Culdrose and an RAF Sea King (helicopter) from Chivenor with infrared cameras which will aid the search considerably."

A French Falcon aircraft and two British frigates are also involved, he added.

[ppheli]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4080531.stm

[ukatco_535]

As an ex Lynx Obs, my fingers are crossed for a happy outcome, Thoughts have to go out to the families at times like these

[dakotaman]

RN Lynx was HMS PORTLAND flight

[Heliport]

PA News Search Stepped Up for Missing Helicopter Crew

A major search for four missing crew of a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter that apparently crashed into the sea was being stepped up again this morning.

Contact with the aircraft was lost just after 7pm last night as it carried out a sweep 19 miles off Lizard Point, Cornwall.

It had been scrambled after two Navy ratings on board the frigate HMS Montrose heard cries for help coming from the water.

A search and rescue operation to find the Lynx continued through the night but three military helicopters taking part had to return to base at 3.30am to refuel, Falmouth Coastguard said.

The helicopters, two from RNAS Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall, and one with infra-red imaging equipment from RAF Chivenor in Devon, were to resume searching from first light at 7.30am.

Aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was co-ordinating operations at sea, aided by HMS Montrose and HMS St Albans.

The all-weather lifeboat from Falmouth was also dispatched to join the search last night and stayed out until 1am, the coastguard spokesman said.

A Royal Navy spokesman said that the missing aircraft was from the Royal Naval Air Station in Yeovilton, Somerset.

The families of the crew members were last night being informed of the operation to try to rescue their relatives.

But as the hours passed fears were growing for the missing crew members.

A spokesman for RAF Kinloss, from where the operation was being co-ordinated, said last night: “As every hour goes by you have to be realistic about it.

“But what fires rescue teams to keep going is the thought that people can, and people do, survive against the odds.”

He continued: “What we don’t know is whether they were able to control their landing on the water or whether it was something that happened very quickly.”

He said the helicopter had been responding to reports of a man overboard. But the Montrose and St Albans later reported all personnel accounted for.

A French warship was in the area and had also said it had accounted for its personnel.

Commander John Parris, Royal Navy spokesman, told Sky News: “The helicopter is thought to have crashed into the sea.

“Our thoughts tonight are with the naval aviation community.”

Cmdr Parris said that no SOS call had been made from the stricken aircraft but that it had disappeared from radar.

[glum]

Radio 2 news reported the Lynx was from Yeovilton...

[Genghis the Engineer]

Fingers crossed for all on board, as well as their friends, colleagues and families.

Best of luck to the search crews.

G

[jEtGuiDeR]

My thoughts are with the families of the missing crew, their oppos on 815 Sqn and the crew of HMS Portland.
Was a long night and the SAR crews did a great job as usual.

Air search resumed at first light. Everything crossed here.

[Paul McKeksdown]

Lynx was based at Yeovilton and operating from HMS Portland.

Investigation is now under way so please keep supposition under control until the facts are known.

Thanks

[propulike]

Wreckage found - TBC it's from the Lynx.

Still keeping it all crossed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4080943.stm

[professor moriarty]

Flying over the sea at night brings its own hazards.

My thoughts and prayers are there with the crew, families and oppos.

[Grainger]

Mine are crossed too, but sadly it's not looking good - some wreckage has been found:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4080943.stm

Still hoping ...

[bad livin']

Very sad. I hope something good can come of this worrying turn of events.

As already written, thoughts to the families.

BL

[VoicesFromTheCreche]

Our thoughts and condolences to the families of our esteemed colleagues and friends.

be sure we'll be raising a glass to you over the coming weeks.

VFTC

[Vox Populi]

BBC reporting wreckage of Lynx located on seabed.

[Sailor Vee]

Latest reports are that the wreckage has been located on the sea-bed. But still no info with regard to the crew, does not look good though.:(

[Navaleye]

Apparently the Lynx was at low level searching for a false MOB. You can never take chances but the navy has routines for doing an MOB roll call in less than 5 minutes, less time than it takes to lower the sea boat, so I'm surprised it got that far. Everything crossed for the crew and families concerned and thanks to the French for chipping in.

[Staticdroop]

Hoping for the best but the b&*%$y Lynx floats like a large rock, fingers crossed.

[InTgreen]

Navaleye,

It is my understanding that shouts were audible out to sea from the frigates in the area, so a 'possible' mob was called. Military assets in the area did confirm their crews accounted for. It just makes it all the sadder if it was a false alarm... however, who knows.

Regards to all those at 815, thoughts with the families.

'For all those in peril on the sea/in the air'

[Spanish Waltzer]

Another Lynx tragedy and whatever the cause made even worse by the fact that they were out trying to help others. All this and just before Christmas. Thoughts and prayers with the RN Lynx community and their families.

As an aside does anyone know whether the SAR helos from Culdrose were scrambled for the initial man overboard call or only once the Lynx went missing. One would have thought that a dedicated SAR unit only 20 miles away would have been the obvious asset to use. Was the Lynx scrambled from a ship or from Culdrose?

Also, unless I'm mistaken I believe the usual crew for a RN lynx is 2. I assume they had supplemented the crew to assist with the search. Prayers therefore too to the ships company.

[InTgreen]

Culdrose and I believe Chivenor were scrambled to the initial call, with the seconds cab from 771 scrambling as the Lynx was reported missing.

[SASless]

This should remind us of the risk we take as we do our best to help others. That to a large degree is what sets the helicopter industry apart from our fixed wing friends. So many of us on a daily basis put it all on the line to help others....and sometimes pay a dear price for that service.

Prayers for the crew and their loved ones.

[Feneris]

Copied from link "majority of the aircraft's frame" had been found on the seabed...."

Fingers crossed, but that doesn't sound good.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/military/story/0,11816,1369955,00.html

[Tony Chambers]

fingers crossed but it doesnt look good, feelings for their families. Having worked with lynx and lost a few in my time, there not the best heli to get problems in.

[hobie]

SKY News reporting four (4) Bodies now recovered :(

[Vox Populi]

Radio now reporting four bodies found in sea close to crash site.

rip.

[Skeleton]

Been confirmed.

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/4080943.stm)

RIP.

[Grainger]

Thoughts and prayers for the crew and their families, and also a heavy heart for all those involved in today's rescue mission. Must be really hard to cope with when it ends this way. :(

[S76Heavy]

"...so others shall live "
It is with deep sadness that I have followed this thread, they will be in our prayers.:(

[Mikehegland]

A truly sad sad day. Thoughts and prayers go to the friends and families of the guys. RIP.

God guard and guide us as we fly,
Through the great spaces of the sky,
Be with us as we take to air,
In morning light and sunshine fair.
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Give us courage and make us brave,
Protect us whereso'er we go,
From shell and flak and fire and foe.

Most loved member of our crew,
Ride with us up in the blue.
Direct our bombs upon the foe,
But shelter those whom thou dost know.

Keep us together on our way.
Grant our work success today.
Deliver us from hate and sin
And bring us safely down again.

O'God protect us as we fly,
Through lonely ways across the sky.

[OKOC]

God bless the families.

EDIT: Sorry! But I cannot allow those comments so soon after the event. There will time enough when the facts are known. But speculation is an untrained enemy.

PPP

[Mikehegland]

Probably best not to speculate on what the cause is just yet. That may take some time. However, the RN don't do crew duty time. When embarked they are on duty 24/7.

[goffer hopper]

Very sad turn of events for another courageous naval crew. i knew one of the guys involved and he will be sadly missed. my thoughts are with the families, their collegues at 815 and the crew of HMS Portland. It is a sad christmas for WAFUs.

[seven4mankind]

The saddest day, absolutely devastated at the loss of a great friend. At a loss for words.

RIP all the crew

[snafu]

"The cockpit was my office. It was a place where I experienced many emotions and learned many lessons. It was a place of work, but also a keeper of dreams. It was a place of deadly serious encounters, yet there I discovered much about life. I learned about joy and sorrow, pride and humility, and fear, and overcoming fear. I saw much from that office that most people would never see. At times it terrified me, yet I could always feel at home there... Though it was a place where I could quickly die, the cockpit was a place where I truly lived."

Brian Shul, "Sled Driver"

My thoughts are with your families, your friends and your colleagues. RIP guys.

[WE Branch Fanatic]

RIP to the people killed, and sincere condolences to their famillies and friends, including their colleagues in both 815 NAS and HMS Portland.

[Dancing Bear]

An extreemely sad day for all at 815 NAS and onboard HMS PORTLAND, my heartfelt condolences to all of the families involved and all those who knew them.

RIP

[bluebird121]

may i please also convey my sincere thoughts and prayers for the families of this terrible tragedy..thanks

[Guern]

My thoughts are with all the family and friends.

A very sad day.

God bless.

[Jordan D]

Thoughts and condolences to all concerned.

May the crew RIP.

Jordan

[Jon Dunn]

A good friend who will be sorely missed by all in the fast jet world who knew him. RIP bro. My condolences to all the families and friends. She's not made of wood you know!

[Heliport]

Story from BBC News: Inquiries are continuing into how a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter crashed at sea killing all four crewmen.

The four were found on Thursday, a day after the helicopter disappeared while on a search and rescue mission 20 miles (32km) off the Cornish coast.

Commander Mark Sheehan, who is in charge of the Lynx helicopters, said a Board of Inquiry was being set up.

The crew, based at RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, are expected to be named later on Friday.

The main body of the aircraft was located by a remote control vehicle on the seabed after search teams identified the site by a trail of fuel oil and debris.
The last point of contact with the helicopter was east of Lizard Point while it was responding to an emergency call.

The commanding officer of RNAS Yeovilton has expressed his condolences to relatives of the crew members.
Speaking at the base on Thursday, Commodore Alan Bennett said: "I am here to express my deepest sympathy on behalf of the whole air station for 815 Naval Air Squadron which is based here at Yeovilton.
"We wish to express our sympathy to all the relations and families and friends of those involved."

The helicopter had been scrambled after a report of a man overboard on the naval frigate HMS Montrose.

An MoD spokesman said: "I can confirm the wreckage of the Lynx has been located on the bottom of the seabed following searches off the coast of Cornwall."
The MoD confirmed the Lynx was scrambled after two Navy ratings on board HMS Montrose heard cries for help coming from the water.

HMS Montrose and HMS St Albans were taking part in a warfare training week.
An MoD spokesman said: "Following a roll-call on HMS Montrose and HMS St Albans, all personnel were accounted for."
A French warship which was in the area on Wednesday night has also accounted for its personnel.

Falmouth Coastguard said a 10-mile exclusion zone had been put in place around the spot where the missing helicopter was last recorded.
A Coastguard spokesman said it was normal practice to introduce an exclusion zone to keep vessels unconnected with a search out of the area.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40611000/gif/_40611657_lizard_point_map203.gif

Very sad.
Thoughts and prayers for the crew and their families.

[Genghis the Engineer]

Deepest sympathies to all family and friends of the crew.

G

[Mikehegland]

RIP good friends. Mate, you were indeed a top, top man and will be sorely missed by all your friends and family.

Do you think that it might be possible to respect the friends and families of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident and keep our posts to something a little more respectable than insults and accusations.

[zorab64]

The Naval Lynx crews have a difficult job at the best of times, been there, seen it, done it - there, but for the very good grace of God.

Sincere & heartfelt condolences & prayers to the families, friends, HMS Portland & the 815 community. This sort of tragic news just re-inforces the need to remain ever vigilant every time we get airborne, and to give thanks to the memory of those who try so hard to keep the peace for the rest of us.

RIP.

[Tuckunder]

Sincere condolences from civvy SAR boys in Shetland.

[Thomas coupling]

Deepest sympathy from the ex-navy lads in the emergency services world.

Flight is freedom in its purest form,
To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;

To roll and glide, to wheel and spin,
To feel the joy that swells within;

To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,
And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;

Then back to earth at the end of a day,
Released from the tensions which melted away.

Should my end come while I am in flight,
Whether brightest day or darkest night;

Spare me your pity and shrug off the pain,
Secure in the knowledge that I'd do it again;

For each of us is created to die,
And within me I know,
I was born to fly.

[zorab64]

For those not aware;

http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2004/0412/0004121301.asp

gives the names of those who sadly perished.

[Heliport]

Story from BBC News: Sea crash helicopter to be raised

Work has begun to salvage the wreckage of the Royal Navy helicopter which crashed off the Lizard.
Four crewmen died after the Lynx from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset plunged into the sea on Wednesday.

Specialist diving teams have been brought in to salvage the helicopter which is lying 85m down on the seabed.

The crew was: Lt Dave Cole, 34, and Lt Rob Dunn, 29, both from Dorset; Lt Jamie Mitchell, 29, from Dundee, and LAEM Richard Darnell, 31, from Torquay. The four were found on Thursday after the aircraft disappeared on a search mission 20 miles (32km) off Cornwall.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40621000/jpg/_40621283_fourdeaths_modpa_203.jpg
Clockwise:
LAEM Richard Darnell, Lt Jamie Mitchell, Lt Rob Dunn, Lt Dave Cole


The helicopter was scrambled after two Navy ratings on board HMS Montrose heard cries for help coming from the water on Wednesday.
HMS Montrose and HMS St Albans were taking part in a warfare training week.

Following a roll-call on HMS Montrose and HMS St Albans, all personnel were accounted for.
A search for the helicopter began after contact was lost with it at about 1920 GMT.

They lost their lives trying to save others.
May they Rest in Peace. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/Cross202.jpg

[serf]

report in the local paper today

http://www.thecourier.co.uk

[ShyTorque]

"Wilma Donnelly, mother of Jamie Mitchell, said last night, “Whatever the inquiry finds will not bring my son back. The main concern of all the families was that there was no blame attached to anyone.”

Quite naturally. Unlike the outcome of another, high profile, unexplained accident involving a Chinook, in which a large number of security forces personnel died....