Accident description
Last updated: 23 May 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 08 OCT 1970 |
| Time: | 20:10 |
| Type: | Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation |
| Operator: | United States Navy |
| Registration: | 131644 |
| C/n / msn: | 4145 |
| First flight: | 1953 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 12 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 68 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 80 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | McMurdo Sound (Antarctica) |
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Christchurch International Airport (CHC/NZCH), New Zealand |
| McMurdo Station-Williams Field (NZWD), Antarctica |
Weather predictions were favorable for the Antarctic McMurdo Station as the Super Constellation departed Christchurch (CHC), New Zealand. By the time the C-121 arrived, visibility had deteriorated to zero. Blowing snow made the runway invisible. On the second attempt to land the right main landing gear hit a snow bank and separated. Then the right wing broke off, with the airplane sliding through the snow.
Sources:
» The tail of the plane / Josh Landis (The Antarctic Sun, 2 Jan. 2000)
» Earles L. McCaul
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Christchurch International Airport to McMurdo Station-Williams Field as the crow flies is 3821 km (2388 miles).
Distance from Christchurch International Airport to McMurdo Station-Williams Field as the crow flies is 3821 km (2388 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
