Posted on 12/30/2016 12:16:02 PM PST by BenLurkin
Why does the Coast Guard chopper have to come all the way from Detroit?
Don’t they have one in Cleveland? Don’t they expect to have to do lake rescues from time to time?
Oy. We’ve had some bad weather here on the northern tier.
But that's from someone who despises flying.
Please excuse my ignorance, Wouldn’t you fly away from the lake to Columbus?
Cue Xfiles music.
“The search operation was being made “very difficult” by 12- to 15-foot waves on Lake Erie...”
12’ - 15’ waves on Lake Erie means you ain’t gonna make it back.
I’m guessing they took off from Burke airport which is adjacent to the lake.
The air-traffic take-off pattern probably sent them out over the lake to achieve a specific altitude before turning south. As such, I don't doubt the plane must have gone down within in a very small radius over the lake. I am surprised they don't have boats out there looking. I live near Lake Erie. Waves near shore are higher than normal, but nothing a Coast Guard vessel can't deal with. And there's no ice yet either.
Benn wondering that myself all morning. I wonder if it has something to do with Hopkins?
They would take off into the wind, likely out of the N at that point. It takes several miles before a turn could be made in an aircraft like that.
They take off INTO the wind which was probably coming down from the lake. It appears that the pilot screwed up by trying to beat the weather and get back home. All for a stupid BB game! Nuts!
I was raised on Erie and the weather this time of year is a mess.
Depends on where they went down. Sandusky has a CG station but also very shallow water, and might not operate in the winter because of ice.
Maybe cause it was the closest ?
Air Craft are stationed at Air Stations and not all CG Stations are Air Stations.
Depends on which direction the wind was from.Can always turn after departure.
Its only about 65 or 70 miles. That’s reasonable. And if a search is ongoing, they can refuel there. But the SAR people like to have a common base for all kinds of operational reasons.
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