Veendam rescue excitement, January 25, 2015

[Mrs. Mac]

Whogo, saw the Veendam on the local news here in the San Francisco Bay Area with footage of the rescue, Good Job to the Captain and crew!!

[madera1]

Amazing. Great that the pilot was rescued so fast.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Mary Ellen]

whogo - thanks for the first hand information!

[MauiLvrs]

The pilot had ditch, not because he ran out of fuel, but because the fuel tank valves failed to operate. Navigation was not an issue.

 

igraf

Or more accurately because he couldn't move 20 gallons to the main tanks from the malfunctioning tank before the main tanks would become empty.

 

Just one of the reasons the Wife says I can put extra fuel in her seat because she is flying commercial.

 

Before that becomes a problem still need to win the lottery and move the entire family to Hawaii.

Edited January 26, 2015 by MauiLvrs

[Darrell6t]

The story was on CBS Nightly News tonight. They didn't mention the Veendam, but did credit Holland America. Here is one story: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/2-small-planes-go-into-pacific-off-hawaii/

 

And just now it was on NBC national news too. The same video, of course. Again they mentioned Holland America, but not the Veendam.

Edited January 27, 2015 by Darrell6t

[RMLincoln]

Heard that the Coast Guard directed the pilot to the area of the Veendam to make rescue faster. Good the plane had enough fuel to reach them. m--

[LMaxwell]

Wow wow wow! The incredible luck and timing of having rescue nearby when disaster struck.

[cruz chic]

Just saw this on our news tonight.

[erewhon]

here is the video

 

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/388574/pilot-safe-after-ditching-253-miles-maui#.VMZWEEfF-Um

 

Thanks for the link.

 

Fortunately the Veendam was nearby to assist with the rescue.

[StormyWildcat]

Absolutely amazing. Congratulations on (another) successful rescue by Holland America Line! Good job Captain and crew of the Veendam!

[ehfl]

Here's a video of the crash and rescue.

 

http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/01/26/vo-pilot-emergency-escape.u-s-coast-guard

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for the link to the video.

Job well done Officers and Crew of the Veendam.

[Copper10-8]

Pics from this rescue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bob brown]

Great shots! Thanks to all who provided the coverage.

 

Someone mentioned plaques or certificates for the Captain and Crew....while well deserved, I think the wonderful feeling of knowing they rescued a human life is the greatest reward...don't you think?:)

[Iwant2BatC]

Nice coverage in the Honolulu paper this morning including a photo of Hotel Director Corcoran with the pilot and a quote from Capt. van der Wal that it was like watching a James Bond movie. Good publicity for Holland America as it talked about the three rescues this week quoting spokesperson Sally Andrews that it was a bit unusual. The article said the pilot tried to fix the fuel tank malfunction for several hours before putting out a distress. Our wonderful Coast Guard coordinated directions for the pilot to get closer to the Veendam and the Veendam to get closer to the aircraft in distress. That pilot was luckier than the other small a/c that ditched off Oahu the same day. Although all four passengers were ultimately rescued two didn't have life preservers including a one year old. They treaded water for an hour before being rescued. Thank goodness these stories have a happy ending!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Copper10-8]

VEDM Captain and Deck/Nautical Dept. personnel with rescued Cirrus SR-22 pilot on the bridge

 

[TiogaCruiser]

Wow! Because it was successful that's entertainment that won't be topped.

[TiogaCruiser]

So how common are these parachute systems in small planes?

Was this an experimental plane or a home built, or regular commercially made small plane?

[PathfinderEss]

VEDM Captain and Deck/Nautical Dept. personnel with rescued Cirrus SR-22 pilot on the bridge

 

 

Great photo, thanks Copper for posting it.

[ehfl]

So how common are these parachute systems in small planes?

Was this an experimental plane or a home built, or regular commercially made small plane?

 

Many small plane owners chose to have them installed, whether commercially built, or home built/experimental. Worth every penny if you ever need to use it.

 

One thing that struck me from the video was how quickly the parachute dragged the plane under after landing (scary!). There should be a way to release the chute on touchdown.

[MauiLvrs]

Although all four passengers were ultimately rescued two didn't have life preservers including a one year old. They treaded water for an hour before being rescued.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Might find a way to explain away running out of fuel ..

No life jackets on an over water flight. That is going to be a big problem.

 

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

[bob brown]

VEDM Captain and Deck/Nautical Dept. personnel with rescued Cirrus SR-22 pilot on the bridge

 

 

Well that's one way to get a coveted tour of the bridge!!:p

[MauiLvrs]

Well that's one way to get a coveted tour of the bridge!!:p

Likely one of the most expensive bridge tours ...

[Zippercat]

Many small plane owners chose to have them installed, whether commercially built, or home built/experimental. Worth every penny if you ever need to use it.

 

One thing that struck me from the video was how quickly the parachute dragged the plane under after landing (scary!). There should be a way to release the chute on touchdown.

 

You might want to watch that video again. It shows the plane fully submerged and the chute still partly open above it. If anything it looks like the chute might have slowed the sinking.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Zippercat

[rafinmd]

Well done Veendam.

 

Roy