35 Miles from Shore (20 page)

Figure 18. This is the actual SH-3A Sea King helicopter used in the rescue of 26 survivors.

Figure 19. This is one of six CH-46 U.S. Marine helicopters used in the search and rescue of passengers.

Figure 20. This is one of two HH-52A Coast Guard helicopters used in the search and rescue of passengers.

Figure 21. From left to right in flight suits: Lt. Commander James E. Rylee, Lt. (j.g.) Donald G. Hartman, Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate William A. Brazzell, and Aviation Machinist's Mate C.V. Lindley. The four are being congratulated by Vice Admiral Robert E. Townsend. The helicopter used in the rescue is in the background.

Figure 22. Corporal John Barber was the crew chief aboard CH-46 EM-13.

Figure 23. Coast Guard pilot Lt. Tom Blank.

Figure 24. Coast Guard pilot Lt. (j.g.) William Shields. He and his crew rescued four survivors. Bill did not have a beard at the time of the accident.

Figure 25. Coast Guard pilot Lt. (j.g.) Carmond (Fitz) Fitzgerald.

Figure 26. ONA CEO and President G. F. Steedman Hinckley.

Figure 27. ALM President Ciro Octavio (Tawa) Irausquin.

Figure 28. Dick Baker, NTSB Investigator In Charge of ALM 980.

Figure 29. ONA Executive Vice President and General Manager Bill Bailey.

Figure 30. ONA Assistant Chief Pilot Ed Veronelli.

Figure 31. The rescue sling (also known as a horse collar) was one of three methods used to hoist survivors into helicopters. This image shows the correct way to use the sling. Most people stuck their head and arms in first with the hoist cable behind them. Fortunately, the helicopters were low enough that no one fell out.

Figure 32. The first rescue was made using a rescue seat similar to the one pictured here.

Figure 33. A Coast Guard rescue basket like this one was the primary method used in the rescue of passengers.

Figure 34. Despite the many problems passengers had donning their life vests, the life vests in use today are the same as those used in 1970.

Figure 35. DC-9 cockpit.

Figure 36. This picture gives a good representation of the interior size of the DC-9. This DC-9 was configured with sixteen first-class seats and eighty-four coach seats. The ONA DC-9 had 105 seats and no first-class section.

Figure 37. From left, Wilfred Spencer, Octavio (Tawa) Irausquin, and Tobias (Tito) Cordeiro at a press conference held in Curacao on their arrival back on the island.

Figure 38. This is a picture of the actual aircraft that ditched. It was taken in St. Maarten on the inaugural flight in January 1970, just three months before the accident. The steward at the top of the stairs assisting a passenger is Wilfred Spencer.