STORY SUMMARY>>>

Sea rescuers continued their search Friday for a missing crew member from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter that crashed in ocean waters off Oahu, killing the three others on board.

In a press conference with reporters Coast Guard rear Admiral Manson Brown said the malfunction of a vital piece of equipment used in ocean rescues may have led to the fatal crash of the HH-65C Dolphin helicopter.

The crew of the chopper was conducting a routine search and rescue drill which involves lowering and raising a rescue basket.

“I received a preliminary report today (Friday) that suggested during that training evolution something may have gone wrong involving one of the wires for the basket,” said Brown.

Earlier in the day the Coast Guard released the names of those who were killed as:

Co-pilot Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Wischmeier, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Rescue swimmer Petty Officer 1st Class David Skimin, San Bernadino, California.

And flight mechanic Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Nichols, Gloucester, Virginia.


Wischmeier’s parents, Bob and Shirley, said their son was drawn to the Coast Guard because of his love for the ocean. The couple spoke to Khon2 from their home in Ft. Lauderdale.

“He grew up in the water,” said Bob Wischmeier. “He always tried to do his best and look forward to the next day with a smile on his face and do a good job for his country.”

“He was the sunshine in our lives,” said Shirley Wischmeier. “We're very, very proud of him and he loved the service.”

According to his younger brother, David Skimin’s excelled at everything he did “without even trying.”

In a telephone interview with Khon2 James Skimin said his brother always sought out adventure and enjoyed his time on Kodiak Island, Alaska where he was stationed with the Coast Guard for several years.

“He joined the Coast Guard, a career because there wasn't much else he liked doing,” said Skimin. “He was a big water person to begin with. I think he enjoyed the Coast Guard in helping, the fact that he was helping other people and helping them in the water.”

Skimin said his brother David was an avid surfer who learned how to shape boards.

“We both started surfing when we were probably thirteen or fourteen and he got better and I never got any better so I stopped and he kept going,” he said. “We were pretty close.”

The Coast Guard says all three victims of the crash are survived by children and spouses.

A fund has been setup to help the immediate families of the victims.
Anyone who would like to donate can go to The Coast Guard Foundation’s website at www.cgfdn.org.


Andrew may be reached at apereira@khon2.com or ph. 591-4263.