Narrative of 11/26/11 Search and Discovery

Counting Graham Perry’s two trips, this was the HAPS team’s 9th effort at finding DeMoss. Weather was good when Howard dropped Brad, Mike and Scott in. Graham’s and Brian Denaro's second LZ clearing and initial search effort from the LZ helped make this effort successful. Howard’s “magic” 500 (Hughes MD 500) and piloting skills made it possible to exploit previous efforts.

The following narrative is an edited version of Scott Gier’s original report.  Some items were removed to keep the actual location secure until JPAC finishes its recovery work

Scott and Mike followed Graham’s broken trail outbound and steeply down from the LZ, while Brad remained on top to clear snags and maintain communications. When they reached the river, they turned downstream, looking for metal. River banks were steep and high, indicating periods of high and fast-running water. They continued on, rock-hopping down-stream, over slick rocks.  This was discouraging because there was no sign of metal, indicating they were probably not in the right watershed.  After about a half hour they came to a confluence with a smaller stream and decided to check it out.  They went up a little ways, stopped for a food break, and decided they had probably gone far enough upstream. The main stream seemed like the better place to search.  As they backtracked, Mike almost immediately found the first piece of aluminum.  If he had not found that, they would have vacated the correct watershed and may or may not have found metal in the main stream (but they would not have located the source).  They weren’t positive that they had found aircraft metal or just some random piece of garbage, but when they found the second piece, very small and corroded, they were positive, thus verifying they were in the right place for an aircraft wreck. Metal started being found with increasing frequency and increasing size.  They ended up finding both tires, one blade of the prop, a lot of trailing edge control surface, oil cooler, and other significant pieces much partially buried.  The distance between the first piece and the second was about 0.1 mile.  The two tires were about 180 ft apart.  There could have been more debris beyond the second tire, but the weather was closing in and they decided to get back for an early pickup. They took a short cut back to the ridge trail and returned to the LZ.  And it was a good thing because the clouds, wind, and rain rolled in. The ridges disappeared, the wind came up, and the rain started falling.  Howard came in through the clag and pulled them all out.  A few minutes later and the team would have spent the night in the mountains.  Thank you, Howard.

0845       Howard deposited Brad, Mike, and Scott on the LZ.

0855       Started hiking outbound on Graham’s trail.

0925       Arrived at riverbed.

0957       Left main stream bed and began following tributary.

1011       Mike finds the first piece of aluminum with what looks like nonskid painted.

1025       Second piece of metal. Confirming we are in the right place.

1038       Find first large piece.  Possible rudder or more likely flap, definitely airfoil shaped.

1040       First tire. The Goodyear Tire in excellent condition.

1050       Oil cooler.

1100       One blade of the prop which was upright against the side of stream bed.

1105       Second Goodyear tire and the landing gear.

1150       Return to LZ.