I agree that Spidertracks and InReach are both better than Spot. But I also believe that a Spot device with tracking on and somebody flight following is better than any installed ELT or any PLB. My two cents.

Wow. What a tragic story. Thanks for posting the link to the accident report. Seems like they did everything right except crashing into the mountain.

1. Three pilots, one with mountain experience.
2. SPOT that was active
3. Two PLB's
4. 406 ELT

If I read the report correctly the wreckage was located at/near a grown over landing strip. The engine/prop controls were full forward. One wing clipped a rock wall.

Maybe they intended to land this strip, realized it was too overgrown and attempted a go-around that went bad. The only impact survivor, the pilot, crawled away from the burning aircraft then back towards the tail, I assume to ensure the ELT was activated. According to the report his injuries were only survivable if he had immediate access to a trauma center, which wouldn't have happened even if rescue had gotten there within an hour, of course any medical attention may have extended his survivability time.

Putting myself in the cockpit, I'd imagine this happened so quickly that no one would have had the time nor presence of mind to activate a S.O.S. on a PLB, SPOT, or 406.

My takeaway/lesson from this, assuming I read the report accurately, and that my assumptions are correct, is to always do multiple passes from a safe altitude over the intended landing area, gradually working lower, before making a decision to approach to land.

I land a number of rivers in my area, and before doing so always assume a new fence or wire has been strung even if I landed it the day before - so always recheck the area from a safe altitude before going in low - well, almost always. I need to make that always, no exceptions.

God bless the families.

Troy Hamon wrote:I agree that Spidertracks and InReach are both better than Spot. But I also believe that a Spot device with tracking on and somebody flight following is better than any installed ELT or any PLB. My two cents.

I agree. It appears that the SPOT did exactly what it was intended to do, and I'm not sure what more a Spidertracks or in reach would have done better. Note the comment that since the SPOT location was close to an airstrip, it was assumed they'd either had another maintenance issue or decided to camp the night. I'm not sure what more any of these devices could have done much better....the SPOT got rescuers to the site pretty quickly after SAR was launched.

I found it interesting that RCC wasn't picking up the ELT. When my ACK 406 inertial switch malfunctioned at OSH a few years ago, I removed it from its antenna, and placed it in the rear seat area of the Cessna, on the cabin floor. RCC still received a solid signal, including last GPS position. Surprised me.

It sure doesn't look to me like anything would have significantly improved the odds of survival after the accident.

A terrible tragedy, in any case.

MTV

While not always possible, I think a good way to fill some of these gaps is to fly with a buddy when possible. There is a lot if safety, plus more fun, when you have some one to help you or go/call for help.

We chose a 406 with an internal antenna option along with the external. Two chances at it actually being able to transmit. We will still use a Spot. Not sure if its the best but it makes everyone at home feel better.

Looks like those guys did most everything right. Sometimes, it just isn't your day I guess. Terrible loss.

There is very little comparison between the Spidertracks and personal PLBs and there is a reason that Spidertracks would have worked better in this situation than other tracking devices or PLBs.

Spidertracks is connected to the airplane power. There is a feature that initiates an alert when the spiders stop sending data before the correct shutdown sequence. In other words, when you are done flying and turn of the Spider power, it knows you intended to stop sending spiders. However, if you crash, and your Spider loses power, the Spider program receiving data knows that something is wrong.

The problem is obviously if you were to lose an alternator or need to switch off your master for some other reason, that Spider may think you crashed.

But this feature absolutely makes this product superior in terms of being able to track a flight until the last location prior to the unit losing power and the the company sending alert notifications immediately when that happens. It doesn't require the pilot to activate anything, nor does it rely on a device (ELT) needing to be intact enough to still work in the event of a crash. I still have a 407 ELT, 407 PLB, Spot, and satellite phone for all the reasons that make each worthwhile to have in unique circumstances.

Grassstrippilot wrote:While not always possible, I think a good way to fill some of these gaps is to fly with a buddy when possible. There is a lot if safety, plus more fun, when you have some one to help you or go/call for help.

I can't tell you how many places I've flown over and said, I can land there. I don't if I'm the only plane.

After 30+ years in the fire dept. I know a normal fire attack, car wreck, training drill or what ever can and does go wrong many times each year. Fire Rescue, Police and Military plan for this and have back up at the ready.

When we fly over hostile terrain and make low passes in canyons it is much like training in Fire, Police, Military. Things do go wrong. Unless you have a buddy circling over head you see by this accident how wrong things can go.

We all take calculated risk in flying. I fly alone over some pretty hostile terrain. If I don't check in when I am suppose to, it will be hours or a day before help arrives. Sometimes you don't have time to wait.

I know 3 guys here on BCP who have crashed all by themselves in the mountains and walked away. Two were landing for sure and I think the third was too.

Threads like this make me think how much risk do I want to take. The older I get the bigger chicken I am.

God rest the soles of our departed pilot brothers.