Rescue 420 Memorial
Municipality/Province: Happy Valley - Goose bay, NL
Memorial number: 10005-008
Type: Monument
Address: Vulcan Road
Location: Goose Bay Airport
GPS coordinates: Lat: 53.3115903 Long: -60.411453
Submitted by: Craig Pye
Photo credit: Craig Pye
Erected by 444 Squadron, this memorial is in memory of Rescue 420 personnel Captain Juli-Ann Dawn Mackenzie and Captain Colin Joseph Sonoski. Both died in a crash returning from a search and rescue mission for a missing boat on 18 July 2002 approximately 40 nautical miles north of Goose Bay. Two other crew members were injured.
The crew started their return when the tail rotor departed the aircraft. About 400 meters down track, the aircraft crashed into hilly, tree-covered terrain and both pilots were killed instantly. Search and Rescue Technician Mario Michaud and Flight Engineer David Pawulski were seriously injured. Despite his injuries, David administered first aid to his crewmate and used a satellite phone to report the accident to Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax. Within three hours a 444 Squadron rescue helicopter arrived and evacuated the survivors to medical facilities.
The memorial signifies strength and hope, pointing to heaven. The base indicates the support network of friends and family that surround us all. The trees are the cardinal points - north, south, east and west, providing us direction.
Inscription found on memorial
Rescue 420
4 crew
444 Squadron
4 blades
4 directions
This pyramid signifies
strength and hope
pointing to heaven
The wide base indicates
the support network of
friends and family that
surround us all
The trees are the
cardinal points N S E W
providing us direction
Dedicated in
memory of
Rescue 420
Rescue 420 crashed
while returning from
a SAR mission
1730hrs - 18 July 02
N 53° 50.94'
W 61° 07.78'
approximately 40 NM
north of Goose Bay, NL
Surviving crew:
Sgt Mario Michaud
Cpl Dave Pawulski
We will remember them
That others may live
Dedicated in
memory of
Rescue 420
Captain Juli-Ann
Dawn Mackenzie
18 May 1972
18 July 2002
Wife, Daughter,
Pilot, Officer, Friend
Jules - We miss you
Dedicated in
memory of
Rescue 420
Captain Colin
Joseph Sonoski
14 March 1963
18 July 2002
Husband, Father, Son
Pilot, Officer, Friend
Colin - We miss you
Street view
Note
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