A CBP Air and Marine Operations flight crew from Jacksonville, Florida was the first to locate one of two downed civilian aircraft.
Media Assets
Transcript: https://www.cbp.gov/video/opa/newsroom/20190529-amo-jacksonville-plane-crash.srt
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — Two civilian aircraft collided near Green Cove Springs on May 29. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office requested search and rescue assistance from a CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) flight crew, assigned to the National Air Security Operations Center-Jacksonville (NASOC-J).
Two civilian aircraft had recently collided midair approximately five nautical miles from Green Cove Springs. NASOC-J was conducting training in the area when they received the request. An Orion P-3 Long Range Tracker diverted from training to assist in locating the aircraft.
Minutes later, the P-3 flight crew located the first downed aircraft, a yellow, single-engine RV-4. The P-3 crew communicated via the Ops Center with the ground elements who arrived on scene and transported the pilot to the hospital with injuries. One of three helicopters involved in the search located the second downed aircraft, a red, single-engine RV-4, two nautical miles from the first found aircraft. The pilot of the second aircraft did not survive the crash.
AMO is a federal law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the American people through advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities. AMO interdicts unlawful people and cargo approaching U.S. borders, investigates criminal networks and provides domain awareness in the air and maritime environments, and responds to contingencies and national taskings. With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO serves as the nation’s experts in airborne and maritime law enforcement.
In Fiscal Year 2018, AMO enforcement actions resulted in the approximate seizure or disruption of 283,503 pounds of cocaine, 301,553 pounds of marijuana, 108,444 pounds of methamphetamine, 872 weapons, and $34.2 million; 2,373 arrests; and 47,744 apprehensions of illegal aliens.