Search for Missing Coast Guard Dornier enters Third Day

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
30-July, 2015 16:44 IST
Disappearance of Coast Guard Surveillance Aircraft

During a routine night surveillance on 8th June 2015, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Dornier aircraft CG-791 suddenly disappeared from the radar located at Trichy when it was 32 miles north-east of Karaikal. After extensive search by ICG, Navy and other agencies, wreckage of the aircraft alongwith the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) has been recovered from the sea on 10.7.2015.

The overflying aircraft are continuously tracked by land based radar. The inputs from the radar track could then be utilized for establishing a datum (most probable location) of any missing aircraft. In addition to the satellite based Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT), the ICG aircraft are also equipped with SONAR Locator Beacon (SLB) which has been instrumental in establishing the underwater location of the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and aircraft debris of missing ICG Dornier CG 791.A Board of Inquiry (BOI) has been constituted to analyse the FDR and CVR and investigate the reasons for disappearance of the said aircraft.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in a written reply to Shri Motilal Vora in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, 30 July 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

DNA tests confirms human remains of missing Coast Guard air crew | Zee News

Chennai: The DNA tests carried on the human remains recovered from the sea bed have been proved to belong to the three crew members of the Indian Coast Guard`s Dornier aircraft that plunged into the sea June 8, an official statement said on Sunday.

According to a defence statement issued here,it has been confirmed by the Tamil Nadu Forensic Lab that the human remains recovered from the sea bed belong to the missing crew members - Deputy Commandant Subhash Suresh, Deputy Commandant Vidyasagar and M.K.Soni.

Their families have been intimated about the confirmation obtained after the DNA tests, the statement said.

The Dornier aircraft with Vidyasagar (pilot), Suresh (co-pilot) and navigator/observer Soni went missing on the night of June 8 while returning to its base at Chennai airport after a surveillance sortie along the Tamil Nadu coast and Palk Bay.

After more than a month of search, human remains and wrist watches of the crew were recovered from the seabed.

The remains were sent for DNA analysis for identification purposes, with blood samples taken from their family members.

IANS

 

[Hindustani78]

Inspector General SP Sharma, Commander Coast Guard Region, East paying homage at the mortal remains of Missing Dornier Aircrew during a wreath laying ceremony organized at the Air Station of Coast Guard in Chennai on Tuesday. PTI Photo.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Inspector General SP Sharma, Commander Coast Guard Region, East paying homage at the mortal remains of Missing Dornier Aircrew during a wreath laying ceremony organized at the Air Station of Coast Guard in Chennai on Tuesday. PTI Photo.

RIP aviators.


Hats off to the ICG for not resting until the fate of the Do-228 was known.

 

[Hindustani78]

BOI submits report on Dornier crash - The Hindu
Updated: September 18, 2015 11:20 IST

Report expected to shed light on what happened in the last moments in the cockpit.
The much-awaited report of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) that was constituted to probe the crash of a Coast Guard surveillance aircraft, in which three officers were killed while flying above the Bay of Bengal off Cuddalore coast on June 8, has been submitted and it is being reviewed.

The report is expected to unravel the mystery of what happened in the last moments in the cockpit of CG 791 and the reasons for the crash into the sea.

The BOI was earlier handed over data from the damaged Flight Data Recorder (FDR), which was retrieved with the help of the original equipment manufacturer in the United States, as it was severely damaged in the crash.

The five-member BOI, including a qualified navigator, a doctor, a technical expert, an experienced qualified pilot and a senior official from the Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), submitted its report to the Coast Guard a few days back. A senior official said that the Coast Guard was reviewing the report. “It will soon be decided on what can be put in the public domain,” he added.

Dornier CG 791 with three officers on board vanished from the radars around 9.21 pm on June 8 while returning from its regular surveillance over the Palk Bay area.

A month later, parts of the crashed aircraft, Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and human remains, including bones were recovered from the bottom of the sea off Cuddalore coast in a massive search operation. While a report of the DNA test conducted by Tamil Nadu Forensic Sciences Department confirmed that the bones recovered from the seabed were that of the missing officers – Deputy Commandants Vidyasagar, Subash Suresh and Manoj Kumar Soni, the cause of the crash is yet to be established.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/579817/an-32-missing-pilots-kin.html
Pune, Nov 7, 2016 (PTI)

Alleging there was "negligence and lack of communication" on part of the Air Force, Parents of Flt Lt Kunal Barpatte, who was on board AN-32 aircraft which went missing along with 28 others on July 22 off Chennai coast, today said the IAF has not given the exact status information of the search operations.

"The aircraft has gone missing along with six crew members and 23 defence personnel for over 100 days now. The Air Force is not providing exact status and details of the search operations," Kunal's father Rajendra told reporters here.

Kunal was the navigator on the aircraft which went missing. "As parents of Kunal, we feel that it is a prime responsibility of the Air Force to provide factual information to the affected families pertaining to the missing aircraft," he said in the presence of his wife Vidya.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had visited the Barpatte family here and assured them of all support.

Rajendra said recently they received a letter from the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Air headquarters in New Delhi, seeking consent for "presumption of demise".

"It is Air Force which should declare about their demise. Why are they (Air Force) seeking consent from us when they know everything about the operation," he said.

He alleged the Air Force was showing "negligence and lack of communication in the matter". "Air Force had created a WhatsApp group of all the family members of missing crew members. However, they have stopped that group," Rajendra said.

"All the families are in follow up with the Air Force on search operation. However, sadly there are no updates and the authorities have almost concluded the search operations despite the fact that wreckage is still not salvaged," alleged Kunal's parents.

"Our basic objection and demand is that if you (Air Force) do not have expertise in locating the aircraft, you should seek help from foreign countries," he said.

He also claimed that the family had tried to seek clarification on the history of missing aircraft and the methodology, used by Air Force in the search operation. "We have not received any response from the authorities," Rajendra added.

He alleged that many questions like what exactly happened to the aircraft on the particular day, why there were delays in commencement of rescue operation, despite the fact that authorities had received clear radar signal, why under water locator was not fitted to the missing AN-32 aircraft despite being upgraded, are still unanswered.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...status-info-on-plane/articleshow/55292961.cms

By PTI | Updated: Nov 07, 2016, 05.57 PM IST

PUNE: Alleging there was "negligence and lack of communication" on part of the Air Force, Parents of Flt Lt Kunal Barpatte, who was on board AN-32 aircraft which went missing along with 28 others on July 22 off Chennai coast, today said the IAF has not given the exact status information of the search operations.

"The aircraft has gone missing along with six crew members and 23 defence personnel for over 100 days now. The Air Force is not providing exact status and details of the search operations," Kunal's father Rajendra told reporters here.

Kunal was the navigator on the aircraft which went missing.

"As parents of Kunal, we feel that it is a prime responsibility of the Air Force to provide factual information to the affected families pertaining to the missing aircraft," he said in the presence of his wife Vidya.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had visited the Barpatte family here and assured them of all support.

Rajendra said recently they received a letter from the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, Air headquarters in New Delhi, seeking consent for "presumption of demise".

"It is Air Force which should declare about their demise. Why are they (Air Force) seeking consent from us when they know everything about the operation," he said.

He alleged the Air Force was showing "negligence and lack of communication in the matter".

"Air Force had created a WhatsApp group of all the family members of missing crew members. However, they have stopped that group," Rajendra said.

"All the families are in follow up with the Air Force on search operation. However, sadly there are no updates and the authorities have almost concluded the search operations despite the fact that wreckage is still not salvaged," alleged Kunal's parents.

"Our basic objection and demand is that if you (Air Force) do not have expertise in locating the aircraft, you should seek help from foreign countries," he said.


He also claimed that the family had tried to seek clarification on the history of missing aircraft and the methodology, used by Air Force in the search operation.

"We have not received any response from the authorities," Rajendra added.

He alleged that many questions like what exactly happened to the aircraft on the particular day, why there were delays in commencement of rescue operation, despite the fact that authorities had received clear radar signal, why under water locator was not fitted to the missing AN-32 aircraft despite being upgraded, are still unanswered.

 

[Hindustani78]

Flag Officer Commanding -In-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht, addressing the media on board INS Shakti in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet Read Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta is also seen.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...yes’-to-terminal-benefits/article16751459.ece
VISAKHAPATNAM: December 03, 2016 00:11 IST
Updated: December 03, 2016 10:34 IST


They were among 29 on board AN 32 that crashed into the Bay of Bengal on July 22

Families of six out of the eight employees of Naval Armament Depot here, who were on board IAF’s AN-32 aircraft that reportedly crashed into the Bay of Bengal 280 km east of Chennai after it took off from Tambaram on its way to Port Blair on July 22, have given no objection certificates (NOCs) during the last few days to accept the benefits due to the dependants.

This was announced by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht at a press conference held on board INS Shakti at the Naval Dockyard on Friday on the eve of Navy Day on Sunday.

After a long wait, kin of the six employees gave the NOCs after an IAF board of enquiry gave its preliminary report that there was no likelihood of survivors.

The eight were among the 29 on board of the ill-fated aircraft.

Rest of them were service personnel and different rules apply to them. In the case of Defence civilian employees, CCS rules apply.

The search operations were suspended in September-end..

Vice-Admiral Bisht said the State government had agreed to provide compensation to the civilian employees’ families when a suggestion was made to it by the Navy.

IAC to be stationed

in Visakhapatnam

On stationing of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC-1) being built at the Kochi shipyard, Vice-Admiral Bisht said the ship was expected to be delivered by 2018 as many issues have to be taken care of with a new ship and in this case it was a huge one. The ship would be stationed in Visakhapatnam and a space would be provided to the south of the present harbour.

“A detailed project report has to be prepared and submitted and after it is accepted the work on jetty for the aircraft carrier would start. For some time, the ship would be on the west coast and we would be preparing the jetty meanwhile. It is expected to be stationed here in three to four years,” he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
09-December, 2016 15:26 IST
Missing IAF Aircraft

An Indian Air Force (IAF) AN-32 aircraft on a routine sortie from IAF Station Tambaram to Port Blair went missing at 1225 hours on 22.07.2016 approximately 150 nm East of Chennai.

A massive search operation ‘Op Talash’ was launched for search of the missing aircraft. A total of 18 Indian Naval ships, 01 submarine and 08 Indian Coast Guard ships were deployed for search of the missing IAF aircraft. A total of 301 ship days of search were undertaken by these ships. In addition 14 Indian Navy (IN) aircraft, 06 Indian Coast Guard aircraft and 10 IAF aircraft were deployed for the search wherein 290 sorties were flown, totaling approximately 1280 flying hours. Geological Survey of India vessel Samudra Ratnakar was also deployed to undertake sub-bottom profiling in the area and National Institute of Oceanography and Technology vessel Sagar Nidhi was deployed to carry out sea bed search using Remotely Operated Vehicle to a depth of 3000m. National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad was requested for high-resolution satellite image of area around datum. Indigenous satellite such as CARTOSAT 2A & 2B which have a resolution of 0.8m were also used for satellite imagery. However, no concrete evidence with respect to missing IAF AN-32 aircraft has emerged.

Assistance of the United States and the Russian Federation Navy was taken for the search of the missing IAF AN-32 transport aircraft. However, no results correlating to the missing IAF aircraft were reported.

All transport aircraft and helicopters of IAF undertaking maritime operations have now been equipped with Underwater Locating Beacon (ULB). Phasing out of aircraft and their replacement with new generation aircraft depends upon the national security / strategic objectives and operational requirements of the defence forces and is reviewed by the Government from time to time. This is a continuous process.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Dr. P. Venugopal in Lok Sabha today.

 

[Hindustani78]

INCOIS continued to provide forecasts on the state of the oceans, the PFZ advisories and species specific advisories for a wide spectrum of users. The ocean state forecasts were also provided before and during the launch day of Re-usable Launch Vehicle Technology Demonstration (RLV-TD) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and also to the research vessel Sagar Manjusha from Chennai to the landing point of RLV in the Bay of Bengal.

On 27th July 2016, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences dedicated the Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) to the Nation during the XV National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board. In addition, an experimental version of SARAT was used to provide Search And Rescue support to all the concerned in connection with the missing AN 32 aircraft, which was reportedly missing off Chennai on 22 July 2016.

SARAT- The Search And Rescue Aid Tool dedicated to the Nation during the XV National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 27 July 2016.


To facilitate the indication of eco-sensitive zones, potential fishing zones, fishing avoidance zone during the event of oil spill, the third version of online oil spill advisory was inaugurated at the 21st National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP) meeting held at India International Centre, Delhi on 5 August 2016.

In 2016, INCOIS deployed 23 ARGO floats in the Indian Ocean having sensors to collect the physical parameters, of which 11 were equipped with both physical and biogeochemical sensors. Currently, over 732 active floats are actively working in the Indian Ocean of which 136 were deployed by India. So far, more than 340856 temperature and salinity profiles, 18993 dissolved oxygen and 7614 Chlorophyll profiles were collected by Argo floats in the Indian regions.

SARAT- The Search And Rescue Aid Tool dedicated to the Nation during the XV National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 27 July 2016.

Total number of floats deployed by India since 1 January 2016. Blue dots indicate Bio Argo floats and red dots indicate standard T/S floats. (b) Total Active floats in the Indian Ocean. Red dots indicate all active floats deployed by other countries while blue dots indicate all active floats deployed by India. (c) Yearly progress of Argo floats profiles in the Indian Ocean. Blue indicates CTD profiles, red indicates Dissolved oxygen profiles and green indicates chlorophyll profiles. X-axis represents number of profiles.


Ocean Moored buoy Network in the Indian Ocean (OMNI) has been systematically maintaining the twelve deep sea buoy systems with surface & subsurface sensors, four coastal buoys and two tsunami buoys. During the reporting period 14 cruises were conducted to carry out 41 deployments/retrievals. Over 172 ship days were utilized to cover a distance of 11,800nm, for completing the task including deployment of SAIC Tsunami buoy systems in May-June 2016 and the Indo-UK cruise under the BOBBLE programme in July 2016.