Narrative:
The plane was making a GCA approach to the South Pole Station ice landing strip. Ice fog was present causing the pilot to initiate a go-around on finals. The plane was too low and slammed down. The tail hit the ground, wingtips and props hit the snow and came off. The impact cracked open the fuselage at the paratroop doors, and the 500 gallon MOGAS bladder that was strapped to the ramp came loose, fell out, and was ignited by flames streaming from the broken wing tanks.
| Status: | |
| Date: | Sunday 28 January 1973 |
| Type: |  Lockheed LC-130R Hercules |
| Operator: | United States Navy |
| Registration: | 155917 |
| MSN: | 4305 |
| First flight: | 1968 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 8 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | South Pole Station ( Antarctica)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | McMurdo Station-Williams Field (NZWD), Antarctica |
| South Pole-Amundsen-Scott Station, Antarctica |
The plane was making a GCA approach to the South Pole Station ice landing strip. Ice fog was present causing the pilot to initiate a go-around on finals. The plane was too low and slammed down. The tail hit the ground, wingtips and props hit the snow and came off. The impact cracked open the fuselage at the paratroop doors, and the 500 gallon MOGAS bladder that was strapped to the ramp came loose, fell out, and was ignited by flames streaming from the broken wing tanks.
Sources:
» VAQ34.com - Lockheed LC-130R 155917Photos
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 McMurdo Station-Williams Field to South Pole-Amundsen-Scott Station as the crow flies is 1892 km (1183 miles).
Distance from McMurdo Station-Williams Field to South Pole-Amundsen-Scott Station as the crow flies is 1892 km (1183 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.
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