*** PEP-Air Fatal Crash of Search Aircraft *** Date: Tue, 09 Jul 1996 19:04:43 -0700 From: Graham Newbold To: sar-l@islandnet.com Subject: : CASARA Aircrew Killed on SAR Ops It is with sadness that I pass on that the British Columbia Provincial Emergency Program Air Service (PEP Air) lost a volunteer search aircraft with a search crew of three on board on this Sunday afternoon (7 July 96). All were killed in the accident. The aircraft, was enroute from one assigned search area to another when it went down. It was assisting in the search for a missing aircraft in the southeastern corner of BC in mountainous terrain. That missing aircraft was located, two POB were saved while another died. This operation was being carried out under the control of the Rescue Coordination Center in Victoria BC. Further details are not available. PEP Air is a member of CASARA (Civil Air Search and Rescue Association) which is a nationally recognized volunteer organization. The volunteers are highly trained and motivated individuals who give much to their communities and to Canada in a quiet and usually unrecognized manner. While I knew some of the individuals on board only professionally when I worked as the military liaison to PEP Air in BC I will feel loss deeply, as I know all SAR people will. THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE Capt Gray Newbold 424 T & R Sqn 8 Wing Trenton -----------------------------