Fri, Oct 01, 2010
Final Descent Rate Of 50 MPH Calculated
The staff of the Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race has updated the
status of the search for American Pilots Richard Abruzzo and Carol
Rymer Davis... and we regret to say that the news is NOT good. The
latest data released from the Coupe Aéronautique Gordon
Bennett Control Centre at 1800UTC, states that, "The Italian
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) has continued to search
throughout the day with support from other civil and military
assets, including US and Croatian Military.
Richard Abruzzo and
Carol Rymer-Davis
Both families have been informed that
the Gordon Bennett 2010 Control Centre received recorded
transponder readings from the air traffic control unit local to the
area where the balloon had last been tracked. Transponder readings
show the height, time and location of a balloon in a coded
form.
The Gordon Bennett 2010 Control Centre has examined the
transponder readings from Richard Abruzzo and Carol
Rymer-Davis’ balloon, registration N801NM, and calculated the
change in height of the balloon over the time period recorded. The
data show that the balloon had a moderate descent rate initially
which then increased into a high rate of descent, to around 50mph.
This is very pessimistic information.
It is the opinion of the Gordon Bennett 2010 Flight Control Team
that the balloon appears to have suffered a sudden and unexpected
failure. The cause of this tragedy is still being examined.
Immediate and extended family of pilot Rymer-Davis politely
request that the press do not make contact with them. Both families
are most grateful for the good wishes and messages of support."
Sadly, the site notes that, "There are no further planned
statements on the www.gordonbennett2010.com
site."
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