> The result” is _ craft, - for days. The MISSING Finding lost aircraft no easy task THE PROBLEM is that aircraft which have crashed don’t look like they did when parked on an airport's tarmac. Combine this with bad weather, mountainous terrain and northern. B,C.’s vasiness, that ~ searchers aren’t all thal surprised when a downed aircraft isn’t found. » “Tf an aireraft goes in at a high raic of speed, il gets broken up, It just doesn’t look the same and that can result in it being difficult jo locate,’ says James Gilham,’ ‘the Terrace-based regional air deputy for the Civil Air Search: and Rescus (CASARA). “If it’s weather, a snow storm, Association that caused the incident to begin with, that same snow storm — if there isn’t a Gre which can leave a‘sign — can quickly cover up the aircraft,’’ he adds, .. And that same snow storm can prevent search aircraft from fly- ing during the crucial first hours and days after an aircraft has been reported missing. CASARA works in conjunction with Comox-based 442 Squadron, the Canadian Forces’ search and rescue specialists which fly fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. Gilham, for instance, spent more than 50 hours as a spotter on the extensive but unsuccessful search. for the Trans Provincial ' Ainlines Navajo which went down in October 1990 carrying pilot Max. Neubacher and three ‘passengers. “The aircraft was flying south ta Terrace when it ran into bad _ weather, It was spotted just last month by a forest fire patrol air- approximately 40 miles north of Terrace near Lava Lake. Even pilots who then received ex- act information on its location . had a hard time finding the site, ‘The search was weathered out aircraft just couldn’t go anywhere,’’ remem- bers Gilham of the 1990 search period. A key factor for searchers is not to put themselves into dangerous situations which may result in them becoming the object of a search, But always present is the pos- sibility there may be survivors on _ the ground, - “Tf it's a survivable crash, the hope is we find them that much sooner,”’ said Gilham. “With all respect to the families, I was relieved to hear it wasn’t a survivable crash,’’ he . Said of the Trans Provincial inci- dent. ‘“‘I know searchers would feel bad if that was the case.’’ “Tt really would be a weight on the hearts of searchers if circum- Crash BOTH ENGINES of an airplane that crashed just north of here were running at the time of im- pact, a preliminary investigation has determined. But it will be some time yet be- -fore a final report on the crash of the ‘Trans Provincial Airlines Navajo which killed pilot Max Neubacher and three passengers is known. " The aircraft disappeared on Oct. 22, 1990 in bad weather en route from Bronson Creek in the Iskut Valley north of here to Terrace. - An extensive search failed to find the aircraft. Its wreckage was discovered earlier this month by an aircraft flying a forest fire patrol. Also killed in the crash were passengers Karen Hawkins, her daughter, Leanne Quack and son, THEY ARE OLD and now need a lot of maintenance, but the de Havilland Buffalo aircraft of the Ganadian Forces’ search and rescue squadron at Comox on Vancouver Island have proved to be a reliable mainstay for years. (FILE PHOTO) slances were found that it was a survivable condition.” Even when flying and weather conditions are perfect, finding a downed aircraft is almost im- possible, says ~Captain: Dave Krayden, an experienced searcher and Comox air base information officer. “We searched this June for 10 straight days for an aircraft. We had the best weather conditions at a time of year when there were the longest day light hours and we still didn’t find it,’’ he said. He describes B.C.’s geography as among the most difficult in the world when it comes to search- ing. ‘““We have the most densely treed areas in the world, Covering that kind of terrain is tedious and difficult,’”’ said Krayden. ‘Everything Jooks the same. Causes Aaton Quock. Federal Transportation Safety Board investigator Rawleigh Bickford said last week that in- formation gathered at the time the search will be combined with new findings. “Wego on whatever we can get to make a determination,’” he said, Bickford has videos and still pictures of the crash site at the 3,500 foot level just east of Ster- ling Lake, approximately 40 miles north of Terrace. He said the condition of the air- craft from deterioration over time may make things a little more dif- ficult. “There’s less than an aircraft that’s been on the ground for 20 or 30 years,”’ Bickford added. The aircraft was found about It’s like going over the ocean. It’s a wearying experience for the crews and pilots.” All this is why searchers are trained to look for the signs of a ‘crash. A‘path of broken’ trees, for ‘instance, might indicate where an aircraft struck the ground. Search pattems are flown at dif- ferent heights and at different times of the day. That latter is done to take into account chang- ing shadow pattern caused by the movement of the sun across the sky. What the sun may highlight in the moming, can be obscured by a shadow just hours later. Searchmasters gather many bits of information as to all possible flight paths which may have been taken by the pilot of a missing aircraft, “It can be physically and emo- tionally exhausting. The clock is James Gilham ticking away in what could be a life or death situation,’ said Krayden. “The uncertainty factor is most disturbing and stressful. Sear- chers don’t know if those who are missing are alive or dead,’’ he said, investigated | five miles east of its intended flight path. akkkkKK Meanwhile, the wreckage of an aircraft that crashed on a glacier north of Stewart killing all six aboard May 25 has becn removed for inspection. “We're examining the wreck- age as best we can. It was quite badly broken up,”’ said investi- gator Doug Worden, A preliminary examination of ithe engines has so far found there was no problem with them. The Stewart-based Blue Ice Flightseeing Cherokee 6 piloted by David Blais was .on a sight seeing trip of area glaciers at the lime of the crash, There was bad weather in the area at the time of the crash and continuing poor conditions kept search and rescue personnel from the site for days afterward. Avalanche dangers prevented removal of the wreckage until a month ago. Still pictures and video removed from victims’ cameras have been viewed for possible clues, “They provided us with what we think is the route of flight prior to the accident,"’ said Wor- den. Killed were passengers Fleur Pichon of London, England, Louls Michael Couvillion of Los Angeles, Brian Derrick of Port Coquitlam, Christine McCarthy of Rotorua, New Zealand, and Jennifer Francis of Burwood, Ausiralia. THE FIRST priortily for whoever takes over the Terrace-Kitimat airport should be securing title to the land. That’s the advice from air- port manager Darryl Laurent in the wake of a federal govern- ment announcement it will cease to operate the facillty by the year 2,000. In 1992, the last year for which figures are available, the airport had an $808,000 opera- ting deficit which had to be covered by a federal subsidy. In its National Airports Policy document, Ottawa said it will start a steady reduction in that subsidy beginning next ycar and eliminate it complete- ly over five years. Al the same time, ihe federal government would be tackling both revenue and expenditures in an effort to make sirporis more cost efficient and ‘make local operation and ownership more attraclive.”” Laurent is in the process of doing just that, looking at cost cutting measures and ways to increase airport revenue. The idea is to come up with a blueprint which will get the operaling deficit as low as pos- sible and preferably eliminate Land title key to airport future it altogether within the next five years, Although nothing is decided yel, Laurent agreed user fees might be one of the options for increasing revenue. More imporiant, however, wes trying to find ways to al- tract businesses on to the air- port lands. And that's where there’s a problem at the moment. Laurent explained although the simport is federally opera- ted, the land belongs to the province and the lease agree- ment only allows ‘aviation re- lated industry’’ to be located there. Therefore, aircraft hangars or service operations are clearly permitied. An argument could also be made for a small motel on the grounds it was provid- | ing accommodation {o aircraft crews and passengers. However, a trucking compa- ny that had no connection with aviation would be a no-no. For that reason, Laurent said the new operators would be well advised to approach ihe provinclal government and ob- tain the land in fee simple if they hoped to develop the air- port's full revenue potential. , The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, August 31, 1994 - AS | CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag Remember, fish fair Dear Sir: Has salmon fishing become so important lo some people that they are willing to do just about anything to catch a fish? Activities lately on Ferry Island have shown me that some fishermen will do just about anything uncthical to bag as much fish as possible, ] was thinking that even beauty pageants don’t get as competitive. Of course you don’t see beautiful young blonde girls running around tripping each other and putting fellow contestants’ hair spray down the drain. You do, however, see bad influences on our tourists and young sporismen. For example, fisherman have been found to claim their area by placing many rod holders in the ground while comrades are sleeping, If anyone were to come and fish near their area you'll be sure to see them pull out the invading rod holders and rads, or harass them verbally until they leave. No one really knows just how many fish are being caught. I’ve been told the fish are shipped out of the country. Do we as fair sportsmen believe this is acceptable? If our tourist fishermen keep seeing this, they are liable to take their money out of the Terrace area and spend it elsewhere. Without tourist dollars many businesses would find themselves in financial difficulties. Asa young resident, I find it disappointing to watch the seifish- ness of adults. Since Fish and Wikilife have difficulty catching the culprits in action, perhaps we as individuals or as a community could de something to band together to promote considerate and fair sporismanship. Remembcr, fish fair. Evie Nance, Terrace, B.C. Alcohol warnings liked Dear Sir: . I would like to take this opportunity to commend the management of the Terrace liquor store. When I was recently in their new store I was pleased to sce the poster sized signs located above each of the checkout aisles warning people of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. — Education and information on this issue is something that is great- ly needed as fetal alcohol damage is the number one known and completely preventable cause of mental retardation. I look forward to seeing more warnings and education of the issue of drinking and pregnancy in all establishments selling and serving alcohol, including warning labels on every container of alcohol that is sold. Chris Arnold, Fetal Alcohol Action Committee, Terrace, B.C. Accountability needed Dear Sir: - The remarks made by the Gitksan Speaker of the Office of the Hereditary Chiefs (O,H.C.) in a recent article on the ‘‘small group’” of “‘people who say things without actual support’ need examina- tion. These people have been asked many times to look at financial statements but only the chiefs can see the O.H.C, books. The people are not critics or dissidents; they are Gitksan people "with legitimate concerns on issues important to them. ._ The whole issue of the inland fishery’ has to be reviewed by ‘the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in Ottawa and a public inquiry is needed. Inland fishery affects all people, nat only the Gitksan and the Wet’suwet’e. Commercial fishing on spawning grounds is not favoured by many. It will drastically deplete the fish stock and the end result will be the extinction of all salmon species. To be concemed on this issue . is only common sense. Ancient chiefs names and band membership tists from the nine (9) villages on a per capita bases are used for money received, This is separate from the Department of Indian Affairs Alternative Funding Arrangement (A.F.A.) program for reserves. For the speaker to say the accusations have been going on for years only proves that the people with questions and concerns are ignored by an office who claims to represent the Gitksan people. Whele families are left out of the O.HLC, and Indian Affairs sys- tem. This is a breach of obligation to the Indian people. The ‘‘small group’’ the speaker brushes off as unimportant are prominent members of villages who are concerned abut the future of their children and grandchildren. The system the O.H.C. speakers and leaders have created is not working for the good of the people. It is only working for the chosen few. The question of accountability of funds received on behalf of the chiefs whose names are used and band members is necessary.. People have gone to mectings in hopes of expressing concems, only to find when they get-there, they are not allowed to speak or ask questions, 0 or told this is not thelr territory, Mary G. Dalen, _Cedarvale, BC. ‘RCMP quick to respond Dear Sir: As a result of a B & E in my home, I had to resort to the Terrace police department. In the past there have been a few negative arti- cles about the Terrace RCMP and I would like to leave. a posillve note, Minutes after my phone call the RCMP were in my driveway. They were very quick to respond to my phone call. I would like to thank the. Terrace R. CM. P. department for their professional, courteous s atiltude, ee . - A, Schmidt, ~ Terrace, B,C, THE START IS FOR PEOPLE LEARNING TO READ The Start Happy 100 years HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Labour Day. It has been a holiday in Cala , __ da now for 100 years. The first Labour Day was in 1894, It has always been held on ihe first Monday in September. An American carpenter named Peter McGuire slatted ' ‘Labour Day, But there were labour parades for years before in Canada. Back then workers wanted a shorter work week. They wanted the right . join a union, And they wanted to stop children from having to wor The local labour council is having a Labour Day plenic on Sept, s at the Kinhut. It starts at noon and lasts until Spm... : Labour council president Norm Lavallee says People should: fe ~ member what Labour Day is. ail about.