Andes accident

Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. An
intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. There was a
note saying: "I'm fine. I'm going down river". He has been found
this morning in good shape! Missing Chileans, whether miners or
glider pilots are quite lucky...

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/por...radas-de.shtml

He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
case.

-John

On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman wrote:
Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. An
intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. There was a
note saying: "I'm fine. I'm going down river". He has been found
this morning in good shape! Missing Chileans, whether miners or
glider pilots are quite lucky...

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/por...9947-9-encuent...

On Nov 24, 8:09*am, jcarlyle wrote:
He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
case.

-John

On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman wrote:

Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
glider pilots are quite lucky...

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/por...9947-9-encuent...

Courtesy of Google Translate:

The Air Rescue Service Air Force of Chile, along with firefighters and
police found alive Auil José Petermann (46), glider pilot who
disappeared in the Putaendo streams, emerging from the Glider Club
Vitacura close to 13.00 Sunday

The information was confirmed by the air force commander, Rodrigo
Ceballos and now José Auil Petermann was transferred to the Clínica
Las Condes. The aircraft was located 60 km north of the hill the
Copin, sector Los Pelambres. Auil, is a pilot with nine years
experience and 730 hours of flight.

Through his twitter account, the Vice President, Rodrigo Hinzpeter,
said: "We found alive José Auil, glider pilot missing since Sunday.
Congratulations to Joseph for his rescuers and resistance!".

Yep, sounds like a good avert for SPOT or a similar device.

Mike

So how is it he went down?

Mark

Too early to tell, but the Andes are tricky terrain to fly. You have
to fly close to the mountains to stay in lift.


On Nov 24, 10:51*am, Mark Jardini wrote:
So how is it he went down?

Mark

Latest news:

José Auil Petermann (46), the pilot of plane that was found this
morning is "in excellent condition," according to director of medical
services at Clinica Las Condes, May Chomalí. Petermann Auil came to
the facilities this morning and was visited by a delegation from the
Chilean Air Force.

"He is in excellent condition, it is clear that his physical condition
helped him survive these days that he was alone, he walked a lot and
is very emotionally affected by what happened, no traumatic injuries,
made a good landing and we're seeing that these days with no food, no
shelter, could have affected his metabolic status, "said Chomalí.

Last night the pilot was able to eat food when he met two horsemen. He
drank water. "He knows how to survive adversity by virtue of his being
a well-trained pilot," said the professional.

RESCUE
The one who made contact with Auil Petermann was a former officer of
the air force working in a private helicopter he was piloting. At
10.00 he saw the aircraft, 10.30 he landed, saw the note saying he was
downstream and 15 minutes later they were able to track him as he
walked in the Argentine sector, specifically between Cerro negro on
the Chilean side and the Mercedario river in Argentina.

Through his twitter account, the Vice President, Rodrigo Hinzpeter,
said: "We found José Auil alive, the glider pilot missing since
Sunday. Congratulations to the rescuers and Jose for his resistance!".

On Nov 24, 7:51*am, Mark Jardini wrote:
So how is it he went down?

Mark

read "the beautiful mountain and her sinister trap" by Harry Combs.

Brad

On Nov 24, 7:09*am, jcarlyle wrote:
He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
case.

-John

On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman wrote:



Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
glider pilots are quite lucky...

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/por...-9-encuent...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Glad they found the pilot well and alive. I am curious how much his
rescue cost vs the $150 cost of a Spot and who is going to pay the
bill. Not to mention the risk invloved in a rescue operation. Couple
more days and it would have been his life vs a $150 Spot. I am puzzled
that anyone still flies XC without a Spot or a PLB. Enough said.

Ramy

On Nov 29, 2:52*am, Ramy wrote:
On Nov 24, 7:09*am, jcarlyle wrote:





He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
case.

-John

On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman wrote:

Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
glider pilots are quite lucky...

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/por...ncuent....Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Glad they found the pilot well and alive. I am curious how much his
rescue cost vs the $150 cost of a Spot and who is going to pay the
bill. Not to mention the risk invloved in a rescue operation. Couple
more days and it would have been his life vs a $150 Spot. I am puzzled
that anyone still flies XC without a Spot or a PLB. Enough said.

Ramy

Just curious, how could the spot have prevented the cost of the
rescue? Wouldnt they have sent rescue crew anyway?

Thanks
Tom

On Dec 6, 12:22*pm, tstock wrote:
On Nov 29, 2:52*am, Ramy wrote:





On Nov 24, 7:09*am, jcarlyle wrote:

He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
case.

-John

On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman wrote:

Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
glider pilots are quite lucky...

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/por...cuent...quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Glad they found the pilot well and alive. I am curious how much his
rescue cost vs the $150 cost of a Spot and who is going to pay the
bill. Not to mention the risk invloved in a rescue operation. Couple
more days and it would have been his life vs a $150 Spot. I am puzzled
that anyone still flies XC without a Spot or a PLB. Enough said.

Ramy

Just curious, how could the spot have prevented the cost of the
rescue? *Wouldnt they have sent rescue crew anyway?

Thanks
Tom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

That's easy. A single aircraft could have been dispatched to the exact
location. They would not have had multiple aircraft flying search
patterns. A huge savings in man-hours, equipment, fuel, etc.