[SFDXA] Peruvian Radio Amateur helps air ambulance that lost communication

[Bill]

Amateur radio to the rescue, again.
73, Tony N2MFT

Last July 9, an air ambulance en route from Santiago, Chile, to Easter 
Island lost communications while they were more than 1,000 nautical 
miles away from the mainland. The pilot resorted to the frequency of 
Cadena Peruana de Socorro (the Peruvian Relief Net) in 7,100 kHz to ask 
for help. Luckily, Guillermo, OA4DTU, and Giancarlo, OA4DSN, were on 
frequency. Guillermo answered the call and then called Oceanic Air 
Control in Chile, the official entity in charge, who were already on 
alert after they lost contact with the air ambulance. The HF radio at 
Easter Island was not in operation at that time, which complicated the 
situation.

After several phone calls to that entity to let them know about the 
airplane's position and route, approximately at 0430 UTC, the pilot 
reported that he had made VHF contact with the tower at Easter Island 
and he had received descent and landing instructions.

This provoked the joy and relief of all those involved in the 
communications effort. Later, the pilot called Guillermo by phone to 
thank him for his help and sent him a photo of the air ambulance on the 
runway while they waited for the patient to be transported to Santiago, 
Chile.

This operation lasted about 3 hours, from the time of first contact 
until the airplane arrived at the destination, with messages of 
gratitude being sent by Oceanic Air Control for Guillermoand for Cadena 
Peruana de Socorro.

Once again, the positive role of the radio amateurs in risk or emergency 
situations is confirmed!

Photo <https://www.iaru-r2.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/oa-plane.jpg>
oa-plane.jpg

Joaquin Solana, XE1R
Editor de Noticias - News Editor - IARU R2
news at iaru-r2.org <mailto:news at iaru-r2.org>