Very early on Monday morning, February 16, 2009 the AMA Venezuela plane took off and headed north toward Ciudad Bolivar.
Experienced mission pilot Bob Norton has been flying in southeast Venezuela for 8 years. His wife Neiba usually stays at home, but this time she accompanied her husband.
The plane landed briefly at the village of Karum, possibly to pick up patients.
Bob called the radio operator at his next stop, the village of Bethel to ask about weather conditions and give an ETA (estimated time of arrival). The weather was stormy, but Bob had been flying in stormy weather quite often without any mishaps. But this time the airplane disappeared, possibly somewhere in the dense jungle along the route traced below.
During the flight between Karum and Bethel, Bob called the Bethel radio operator. But the message was garbled, and nobody understood what was being said. When the plane did not arrive at Bethel as expected, aviation authorities were notified.
Search parties by air and by ground were organized, but many days went by and there was no sign of the plane or its passengers.
Gladys Zerpa (left), teacher and administrator of Colgransa Adventist boarding school was in the plane when it disappeared.
Also on board was a 14-year-old girl and a newborn baby, each accompanied by a parent.
Friends of the Nortons and AMA Venezuela arranged with Google Earth to do a high definition satellite scan of the area, and many volunteers are looking for any possible signs of the missing plane.
Thousands of people in Venezuela have been helped by Bob and Neiba's ministry. Many lives have been saved, and the people love "their" plane and pilot.
Bob loved the people, he loved serving God, and he served by faith, volunteering his time without a salary, trusting God to provide funding through donors who wanted to help make a difference in the lives of others.
Bob's father Elwin Norton died in the mountains of south Mexico in 1980 when his plane crashed into a mountainside after both magnetos failed.
Bob's brother Bill currently serves in Papua New Guinea as a mission pilot.
This time of waiting has been difficult for the family and friends of Bob Norton, as well as the loved ones of four other families of those who were in the plane.
Bob's sister Barbara has been very much involved in his ministry. She edited and sent out his monthly e-mail reports, shared his video updates and since Bob's disappearance, has kept folks updated on any news during the search.
Her inspirational message below, written six days after the plane disappeared, confirms her faith that ultimately, God is in control.
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February 22, 2009 Friends, The outpouring of concern touches my heart. From homes, churches, and hearts so many of you have indicated that prayers are ascending in behalf of this desperate and sad situation. While I can't answer each of you individually right now, I thank you for writing, and for your prayers. The news I received last night is that while the search continued yesterday, nothing was found. There are groups of Indians looking in the jungle area where they think the airplane may have gone down. While I don't want to dash the faith of any of you, I do want to share this message from my heart. What happened on Monday is history. If Bob were alive he would have sent up some sort of signal. I do believe in miracles. Over and over God has sustained and protected. However, we are in enemy territory and Satan has been very angry about this ministry for years. In reality--and those of you who are pilots agree with me--there really is no possibility of them being alive. I know we don't want to think of the hard facts of tragic deaths, and long to hold tight to the belief that they will be found alive. Faith clings to God's hand when our desires are crushed. It holds fast to the fact that God is love and cares for our hurting hearts. Read the entire "faith chapter" in Hebrews 11. Those who perished by sword, famine, martyrdom had great faith. God doesn't always rescue. Sin runs its course. There are causalities on the battle field. I know this isn't the update message you wish to hear, but I've had to write it. My hope is anchored in God's Word and His promises. To these I cling, as I continue to pray for those searching and God's comfort with all the family and friends of those involved. God knows the desires of each of your hearts. Bob and Neiba's desire, should they be able to speak with you just now, would be that this season of prayer would be for the advancement of God's kingdom. Our entreaties to the throne room of the universe should be as earnest for the salvation of souls as it is for the return of the lost. May this time of prayer be a heart cleansing experience for each of us. Jesus coming is very near. God bless you and comfort you today. Barbara |
This link has information about the search efforts, along with links to other online articles about the missing plane. Click here if you wish to contact Barbara.
Webmaster note: Bob and his family have been good friends of my family since 1968, when our parents served as volunteer missionaries in Chiapas, Mexico. It has been a privilege to be a part of Bob's ministry. Our son Daniel flew with Bob, and currently volunteers as a mission pilot in Bolivia.
~Fred Adams~