Helo missing in NT
 

ABC web news has just posted that a helo with 5 POB is missing in NE NT.

Does anyone have any more info.

Thanks

Trash Hauler

:(

nothing much except reports state the helo was being used in pipeline survey work near gove at the time.

I sincerely hope they will find them safe and well fishing for barra someplace close.

AAP

Helicopter with five people aboard missing
AAP|Published: Thursday June 6, 10:54 AM

A major search was under way today for a helicopter with five people aboard, missing in the Northern Territory.

Five fixed-wing aircraft and three helicopters were this morning scouring a 1,100 square kilometre area of the Mitchell Range in Arnhem Land, south-west of Nhulunbuy.

Police Commander Max Pope said the search for the Bell jet ranger helicopter was proving difficult because of the isolated terrain.


"There's limited road access to it," Cmdr Pope told ABC radio.

"On that road access we put some vehicles in this morning to act as a base camp and also we're moving fuel into the area to assist the helicopters in their search."

Australian Search and Rescue spokesman Ben Mitchell said an initial search began when the helicopter failed to make a scheduled refuelling stop at 1.30pm (CST) yesterday.

The helicopter was carrying five people who were conducting survey work mapping Aboriginal sacred sites near a proposed pipeline.

"We're fairly concerned," Mr Mitchell said.

Mr Mitchell said an overnight search using a customs aircraft with night-vision and infra-red equipment failed to find any trace of the missing helicopter.

There was no communication from the helicopter before it went missing, he said.

"It is fitted with a beacon, but no beacons were detected," he said.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mr Mitchell later said he believed all five on board were men, some of whom were Aboriginal elders assisting the survey.

The experienced pilot was a 52-year-old man.

"I believe they are all five males and that includes some Aboriginal elders who were assisting the survey," Mr Mitchell told the John Laws radio program.

"I understand the pilot was experienced. He's a 52-year-old man with a lot of hours in the jet ranger."

[ back to Breaking News index ]

Don't know how accurate this information is but I believe it is the Layna 206, with A.L. driving.

Lets hope all are well...

HA...

News just from the ABC:

The crash site has been found. Nothing more said yet. I hope they have survived.

Further to my above:

4 fatalities and 1 survivor attempting to be rescued. Who is what has not been released as yet, and no cause stated.

These things are getting too regular up here.

From
http://abc.net.au/news/australia/200...06150147_1.htm

Four killed in NT helicopter crash

The Australian Search and Rescue Service says they have located the crash site of a helicopter missing since yesterday in the Northern Territory.

The crash site is at the base of the Mitchell Range near the community of Doinytji in East Arnhem land.

Spokesman Ben Mitchell and Northern Territory Police have confirmed there is one survivor.


Search

Earlier today another plane was added to the search for the helicopter.

Six planes and three helicopters took part in the search covering 1,100 square kilometres.

The helicopter crew was conducting survey work mapping Aboriginal sacred sites in the area.

Two Aboriginal elders and staff from the Northern Land Council were among those on board.

Dog
:(

R.I.P.

Vale Adrian Wagg
 

It can be confirmed that Adrian Wagg, the longtime manager and helicopter pilot of Laynhapuy Aviation (Laynha-Air) was tragically killed when his Bell Jetranger crashed near Doindji in the Mitchell Ranges.
Adrian was a very experienced pilot and had worked and lived in the N.E. Arnhem land area for many years. I've had the pleasure of accompanying Adrian on numerous flights in the region and was constantly amazed with how intimately he knew the land and how adept he was at controlling his "machine".
I know that many pilots currently employed in the industry have Adrian and Laynha-Air to thank for giving their career a huge kick-start. It was a great company in which to hone your flying skills in the bush and fill the pages in your log book.
Adrian worked tirelessly for a cause he believed in and was a champion of the Aboriginal people in the area. He will be sorely missed.
My thoughts go out to his family and to the families of all the victims of this shocking accident.

I too have known Adrian for many years and had flown with him often. He took great pride in his work and as has been said, was one of the few genuine people left.
My heart and thoughts go out to Sally and the rest of his family.
RIP big fella.

While I didn't know Adrian, it's clear from the posts already here that he was one who saw aviation as something to be contributed to and grown, and did not exclude himself when it came time to do it.

There are many takers in this industry. Too few are willing to recognise the opportunities and favour given to them and re-invest in those who come after.

Our thoughts and prayers for you, your family, friends and workmates.

Bye Adrian
 

Adrian telling tales at the GV 'Aero Club', including about the time he landed on top of a croc (with a big splash)...

Adrian did the photo flying in the film Yolngu Boy a couple of years ago and also got a part in it himself with the Jetranger.

My guess is there was no way he could have avoided this and did the best he could since one bloke got out of the wreck.

Yakka narmara a yalala, beardy bloke ! Djitna djitna..

.

Vale Adrian. I was at Laynhapuy in the early days, and he certainly looked after all of us who worked there. He was a genuine, caring person, and to Sally, kids and all at Laynha I offer my sincerest sympathy. God bless. MM

Adrian was a true gentleman of the aviation industry. All I can say is "ditto" to all the above replies. He will be saddly missed by all who knew him. My deepest sympathies goes to Sally and the family.