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| Survey to decide on Black Hawk recovery By Michael Brooke and Cpl Andrew Hetherington Volume 11, No. 59, February 08, 2007 |
| THE wreckage of the Black Hawk that crashed off the coast of Fiji in November last year has been located by the Navy and the site will be further surveyed. The survey will establish the condition of the aircraft to determine the feasibility of recovering the wreckage that is on the sea floor at a depth of almost 3000m. The survey work is expected to be completed in March. Fleet Commander Australia RAdm Davyd Thomas said the tasking would be a very complex and challenging maritime salvage undertaking. “Equipment and personnel necessary to recover the aircraft will be in place, however, a decision to attempt recovery of the wreckage will be based on the data collected from the survey,” he said. The US Navy Supervisor of Salvage (SUPSALV) was identified to assist with the survey and potential recovery of the wreckage. SUPSALV personnel and equipment pinpointed the location of the Black Hawk’s flight data recorder beacon in 2900 metres of water from HMAS Melville in mid-December. SUPSALV personnel are specialists in recovering military aircraft from such depths as where the flight data recorder was located. A Defence Maritime Services vessel will also support the survey and potential recovery task. The Black Hawk crashed into the sea on November 29, as it was landing on HMAS Kanimbla. Capt Mark Bingley was killed in the crash, Tpr Joshua Porter is missing presumed dead and eight other personnel were injured. |