skywagon guy wrote:I've spent many years fishing, 4 wheeling, snowmobling and flying the Snowies, a small but weather producing range of mountains that can cause you any number of problems when weather sets in, nearly always windy. Ride a sled in the winter up to the fire lookout tower on Kennaday Peak and you'll see what wind is.
Fly Safe, Ron

OregonMaule wrote:Survival gear is just about the cheapest part of flying.

We did get more info today about my friends passing. His injuries turned out to be non- life threatening. Gordon had injuries to his legs (not broken I believe) some minor cuts and bruises along with a bruised chest and bruising to the heart itself. I suspect adrenalin, instinct, and training got him out of the cockpit. The coroner indicated he passed fairly soon after the crash from hypothermia. Were his injuries keeping him from getting to his survival gear?, not sure. Was he in shock; not sure. What I do know is that what ever locator system he had (I will try to find out) resulted in a search starting within an hour of his crash so that worked very well. I believe they had him pinpointed pretty close because the searchers did not stop as darkness fell; they kept moving up. The search aircraft were grounded due to high winds into the next day. There are still lots of questions but there are some things this has taught me; things that may save my life some day. Most important right now? I will put together a survival vest and wear it EVERY FLIGHT. I know this has been discussed here and I would like to entertain that discussion again. It was mentioned above that he may not have been able to get to his gear because of his injuries; we just don't know. With a light weight fishing vest with basic gear (emergency "space" blanket, PLB clipped in place, matches, and the list goes on) an injured pilot might not have to get back into the plane, the gear is right there. This sure makes sense to me. As for what type of locator ...... how about both? I spend thousands of dollars on all kind of insurance for all sorts of replicable "stuff" so how about some insurance for my own sorry butt. I think I mentioned Gordon's work in crash investigation. I believe there is much for me to learn from this loss. So to my friend who always debriefed me after every lesson; he has debriefed me one last time and for that I say an eternal "Thank You". So now the work of putting together a light weight survival vest begins. I think placing "survival vest on" in my before take off check list just ahead of "seat belts on and secure" is another change for me.