SAR Heli down in Almeria
 

Hating to see how the worst predictions come true, this is going to be a long year :sad::sad:

The Helimer SAR AW139 went down 4 nm off the coast of Almeria(Spain). They were doing some practical maneouvers when ATC lost contact. Half of the helis of the company have gone searching for them, only one has been rescued so far, with serious injuries. The other 3 members are still missing. Only bits and red flares were found at the wreck site.

Initial coverage of the news here: (in Spanish)

Tres desaparecidos al caer un helicóptero de Salvamento Marítimo al mar en Almería - RTVE.es

Tomorrow morning is going to be a sad day at work. My best wishes to the fellow colleagues missing, there is still Hope.

Bl**dy Hell...

Always a problem, who comes to the rescue if the rescuers get caught out?

Hoping for a lucky outcome, but fearing the worst :(

Calling out Aser - hope you answer this.

Member here Aser flies AW139s for that operation.

Ned

Ned,

Hopefully no news is good news in this case. I hope he is out flying in search of coworkers.

fingers crossed

Max

Left some messages with friends who fly for Inaer in italy and spain and will try and find out if Aser was involved.

Ned

Ned I've just written some sms to people who worked in Spain. Here is 2 a.m., not so easy to get news from collegues but as soon as I get something I'll write to you via FB.
'night and I hope Martinez Will answere in the meantime.
Alex

Alex,

Thanks and have sent sms to friend Antonio Martinez who is commercial director for Inaer so hopefully we will hear somethng from him.

Keeping fingers crossed for Aser.

Ned

Fingers crossed for all of them including Aser.

Just got a message from Asers girlfriend saying he is alive and well.

He is out flying searching for his fellow crews. Thoughts are with all
The crews and inaer staff at Almeria.

I hope you find your missing colleagues.

Ned

Thanks for the information about Aser Ned.

Spanish news say the crash happened around 5nm off the coast. I hope this means higher chances for the other three who are still missing.

Suerte a todos!

Edit: news update mentioning four helicopters and three vessels participating in the search.

Anyone able to tell yet if it really was Helimer 205 (EC-KJT)?

This source now sais the crashed helicopter is Helimer 207 (EC-HIM), which is an AS365N2. Could be true since it is based at Almeria...

Tres desaparecidos al caer al mar un helicóptero en Almería - COPE

Once again, especulators making up data. (Wrong call-sign Helimer105, Wrong picture of a S61). The usual suspects at work....

Confirmed is the AW139 of Almeria.

Pilot: Jose Luis López
Co-Pilot: Kevin Holmes aka "the kiwi", a hell of a nice guy :{
Winch operator: Alberto Elvira

Rescued rescuer: Iñigo Vallejo. He's at the hospital, minor injuries, recovering from a mild hypothermia will be walking home tomorrow.

At sunrise divers went searching for them, but we fear the worst. :uhoh:

They were 4 miles off the runway, established on the ILS Approach to LEAM, returning from the training flight.

Our thoughts go with wives and family.

Stay safe

B

Wrong info, borjaracing,

Hoist Operator Alberto Elvira is in the hospital.
Iñigo is missing.

Thanks for clarifying Borja.

The following is not intended to start any rumours, just for information:

METAR LEAM 212100Z 02005KT 9999 FEW015 11/08 Q1023=
METAR LEAM 212030Z 03004KT 9999 FEW015 12/09 Q1023=
METAR LEAM 212000Z 04004KT 9999 FEW015 12/09 Q1023=
METAR LEAM 211930Z 06004KT 9999 FEW020 12/09 Q1023=
METAR LEAM 211900Z 06004KT 9999 FEW015 SCT025 12/09 Q1023=

ILS approach rwy26:
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/881...lay800x600.jpg

PP

I'm sorry, you're right. Alberto is the one at the hospital. Still nobody else founded :(

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3458/...2924072d_b.jpg

This is bad, fingers crossed. My thoughts are with those directly involved.

My heart goes out to everyone involved, it is a truly painful and difficult time. This thread has provided the most information I have been able to uncover all day but hitting the refresh button here and on countless news sites a thousand times is driving me a tad insane. If anyone has any direct information concerning the ongoing search I would greatly appreciate a PM or email as I am aware some things are best left off an open forum. My brother is the missing co-pilot referred to above as "the kiwi" and known by many as Sam. Thanks.

eyesparky,

I am not sure how your Spanish is, but recently the news reported that the wreckage is estimated to be around 100m deep in the sea and they will start to look for it with a remote controlled submarine from tomorrow.

We all hope the best for your brother and the rest of the crew.

Thanks eivissa, I had seen a translation of that on a news site. I probably shouldn't have posted here but am just frustrated at not being able to do anything. Thanks again.