I don't know. Maybe Scott Barnes tampered with the DoD website. :)
I did see an explanation that satisfied me about the lack of call for help. Apparently, the radios used on that mission were new Motorola radios and did not fit into their designated compartment correctly. The pilots were warned of this as they left, with caution that they would lose their radios in a crash. This is likely what happened.
Michael Speicher's wife won a settlement from Motorola over this issue.
After dinner and listening to Nikki (very impressive girl) ran out to NAS Pensacola to meet (just flew in for a gas and go rtb houston) an outstanding Marine Officer who will be sitting right seat on an space shuttle launch this October. So proud of him...
Anyway got back to this and finished it up.