[BradyLS]

I can understand why looking for four year-old wreckage in the jungle from a helicopter using only your eyes could be a waste of time.

But what if the helicopter were part of a team to search the grid-square where the the sleuth says he saw wreckage in the satellite photo? Aircraft with down-looking radar should be able to ping the wreck, yes? A helicopter might do the same to confirm and lower a team in foot to investigate. Or guide a team already on foot to the site, if the canopy won’t allow an insertion.

Ideally, I think it would be a “combined specialties” operation where different air and ground assets work together.

[Deaf Smith]

"If the canopy won't allow an insertion"

Just drop a BLU-82 (Daisy Cutter) to open a LZ. They've been used in the area before

[ThanhPhero]

the ground penetrating radar that the archaeologists use might be appropriate. If it can see stonework under the surface f the land it should be able to penetrate the jungle to metal.