Ripley's Believe it or Not...

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TheGreenGoblin
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Ripley's Believe it or Not...

#1 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Mon Feb 01, 2021 9:10 am

Sent to me by a correspondent yesterday... Unbelievable but true...
Otter 449 was delivered to Trans Provincial Air Carriers Ltd., (later re-named Trans Provincial Airlines) of Prince Rupert, BC on 18th November 1964, registered CF-ROW.It met with a landing accident on 18th April 1967 twenty four miles south of Telegraph Creek on an ice and snow covered Yehenika Lake, some 250 miles north of Terrace, BC., near the Stickine River on a flight from Dease Lake.
http://www.dhc-3archive.com/DHC-3_449.html
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."

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TheGreenGoblin
Chief Pilot
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Posts: 17596
Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2019 11:02 pm
Location: With the Water People near Trappist-1

Re: Ripley's Believe it or Not...

#2 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Mon Feb 01, 2021 11:12 am

Helicopters to the rescue once again...
There were also two helicopters in the area, which were also involved in bringing in fuel and other supplies to the Le Duc mine, a Hiller FH-1100 of Klondike Helicopter Company and CF-BHB, a Bell 204B of Bullock Helicopter Company. These were used to carry a mountain rescue team to the area that afternoon, but due to the precipitous terrain and high winds, they were unable to reach the crash site. They established a base camp on the valley floor underneath the crash site. The injured pilot had to spend the night on the ledge, tied to a tree to make sure he didn't fall over the edge. The Hiller did manage to drop him a parka and a thermos of hot coffee. Early the following morning, the Bell 204 effected an amazing rescue for which its pilot was subsequently commended. A harness was attached to a 150 foot length of rope and secured to the inside of the helicopter. Weather conditions were good, with no wind, and the helicopter would attempt to lift the injured Otter pilot off the ledge. The Bell was positioned over the ledge and the rope dropped down to the pilot below. This was an extremely hazardous manoeuvre, as the rotor blades of the helicopter were only three feet from the rock face of the mountain. This helicopter pilot clearly had nerves of steel.

The Otter pilot managed to get into the harness and the helicopter began to take up the slack by climbing vertically. Ever so slowly the Bell backed away from the mountain, and with the Otter pilot hanging 150 foot below, the helicopter carried him to the valley floor, 3,750 feet below, to the base camp established by the rescue team. Gently the pilot was lowered to the ground, the helicopter landed and when the Otter pilot was safely aboard the Bell, he was flown to hospital in Stewart. The pilot of the Otter was aged 64 at the time of the crash. He had obtained his pilot's licence in 1936 and over the years since then had amassed over 20,000 hours of bush flying. He was exceptionally well qualified for this type of flying. As the report concluded, the accident occurred in a mountain pass when the pilot lost visual reference in a blizzard. The pilot became trapped by weather conditions which could not be foreseen. Otter CF-ROW was destroyed in the accident.
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."

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