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FYI March11 MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Village

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:28 pm
by GetMeTherePlease
Hi PNP Pilots below is very sad news I am not sure if any of you know Joe Radford or have worked with him, but the news below is very sad. I do hope he is safe and is found safe. Please if your in the area that he is missing and able to help there are numbers below this is feared by all of you I am sure and by those of us that ask you all everyday to assist in our rescue efforts. I pray every time when a pilot assists me with a transport that they make it safely to and from their mission.

Please read the below if there is any help you can offer that would be great, even if only in prayer.

The Pilots Prayer

Lord of Air and the Earth,
You made the whole world with creatures of the seas, earth and skies.
After the great flood you made a bird the first witness of the new order;
You have shown us your Spirit on wings of dove:
I ask you to bless me as I take off to the skies.
Make me a humble pilot, who marvels at the beauty of your creation;
Save me from turbulences of the air and my spirit,
Give me strength and full control over the plane,
send your peace to the hearts and minds of all traffic controllers,
show me your path in my life,
and lead me safely to the runway,
so that I could praise you safely back on earth.
I make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Lady of the Skies—pray for me.



Cheryl
Roads of Hope
http://www.roadsofhope.org


The National Park Service and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office are searching for a missing airplane that was last seen at the Grand Canyon Airport on Friday, March 11.
A pilot flying over the canyon called the airport after detecting an emergency locator transmitter about 30 miles northwest of the Grand Canyon Village in a remote region of the park. The airport then notified the NPS, which immediately deployed a helicopter to investigate. When the helicopter pilot found no evidence of an aircraft crash or an emergency beacon, the NPS called off its search because they had no notice of a missing plane.

On Monday, the family of 47-year-old Joseph Radford, of Glendale, called the Glendale Police Department to report that he was overdue. The Coconino County Sheriff's Office was then contacted and began an investigation into his whereabouts. They were able to determine that Radford had taken off from the Glendale Municipal Airport at 6:30 a.m. on March 11 and flew to the Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan, where he stopped to refuel and took off again at around 8:30 a.m.
On Monday, the NPS redeployed a helicopter and plane into the area around Scorpion Ridge, in the Dragon Corridor, which was Radford's last known location over the park. The aircraft flew search patterns in both the Fossil Corridor and Scorpion Ridge areas on Tuesday and again expanded their operations on Wednesday. The sheriff's office has also been contacting backpackers known to have been in the area to see if anyone heard or saw the aircraft.

According to a media release on Wednesday, the total search area now encompasses more than 600 square miles of the park. Search and rescue has yet to find any sign of Radford or the missing plane. Park service officials said the area is too remote to make a foot search reasonable at this point.

"It's an extremely backcountry area and we have no indication in terms of vertical relief where this plane went down -- or even if this plane went down," said Shannon Marcak, spokesperson for the Grand Canyon. She also said that search and rescue had yet to locate the emergency beacon that was first detected by a private aircraft pilot on Sunday.

As of Wednesday evening, the NPS said it was unclear if aerial search and rescue operations could continue on Thursday due to deteriorating weather conditions.

Radford is described as a white male, with blue eyes, graying hair and a receding hairline. He is 5'11" tall and weighs approximately 190 pounds. His plane is described as an RV6 Kit Built, cherry red airplane with tail number N650RV.

Anybody who has seen Radford or his aircraft since Friday at 8:30 a.m., is asked to contact the National Park Service at (928) 638-7805.

Eric Betz can be reached at [email protected] or 556-2250.

Re: FYI March 1MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vill

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:30 pm
by admin
Everyone,

I am hopeful that Joe and his plane will be found. He is a wonderful individual with a huge heart and a remendous love for animals. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe when in came to S.C. for the first Pilots N Paws flyin and admire his passion for what we do. To my knowledge, he was not on a rescue flight.

Because he has not been seen since last Friday, they are assuming the pinging that was heard could have been from his plane. Cheryl has listed the contact information. If anyone is in a position to volunteer and is used to flying in mountain conditions please contact the local sheriffs department or the National Park Service at 928-638-7805.

We are keeping you in our prayers Joe!!

Debi

Re: FYI March 1MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vill

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:31 am
by stars2chase
This is horrible news. I was in communication by email with Pilot Joe over the last two weeks. Amazing Aussies is praying and thinking good thoughts that Joe will be found safe. He is an incredibly nice man that loves animals and life. We are located in Arizona and Joe has transported for us in the past. We had just invited him to join us in May for a reunion with Grace and Baron. Please join in to search for Pilot Joe.

Re: FYI March 1MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vill

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 1:24 pm
by deeogee1
Prayers going out for Joe & his family. Please let him be safe & found soon. Miracles do happen.

Re: FYI March11 MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vil

Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:25 pm
by lizsyring
Those of us at Doodle Rescue Collective are devastated over the news of our dear friend Joe Radford being missing. He helped our rescue labradoodles and then later became our friend. He is a selfless man who loves to help the homeless animals. We are hoping and praying for you, Joe.

Re: FYI March11 MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vil

Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 10:03 am
by Liza007
I am so sad that there has been no word. I keep hoping and praying that Joe is found. He has been instrumental in helping so many find second chances. I feel at such a loss as I sit here across the country wishing I could get out there and help find him. Those of us with German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue owe him so much

Re: FYI March11 MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vil

Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:59 pm
by MuttsMom
Prayers being sent from everyone in rescue to Joe and his family, and he is found and is o.k. The article from National Dogs/Examiner.com has been sent through out the rescue community on FB and also passed along to another rescue friend who has a large rescue/rescuer Address Book for crossposting. Miracles do happen and I pray this is one of them and we'll hear good news.










Border Collie Rescue
Good ole Mutt Rescue

Re: FYI March11 MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vil

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:41 am
by BaldwinParkdogs
This is horrible news. Joe was such a huge help to all of us - here is a video of Joe saving a 17 year old Chow Chow abandoned at the Baldwin Park shelter http://www.youtube.com/user/baldwinpark ... i67Z4OQu4Q


Re: FYI March11 MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vil

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:27 pm
by MuttsMom
Have they found anything or what is the latest report from the news or the airport? I know a pilot got a signal saying he was in trouble but didn't see anything flying over the area nor saw any signs of the emergency beacon.

Re: FYI March11 MISSING PILOT Joe Radford - Grand Canyon Vil

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 4:41 pm
by Troopersmom
Many prayers to Joe and his family.