This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Thursday 8 October 1970 |
| Time: | 20:10 |
| Type: |  Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation |
| Owner/operator: | United States Navy |
| Registration: | 131644 |
| MSN: | 4145 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1953 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 80 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | McMurdo Sound -
 Antarctica
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Christchurch International Airport (CHC/NZCH) |
| McMurdo Station-Williams Field (NZWD) |
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
Location
Images:
photo (c) sandwichgirl; McMurdo Sound, Antarctica; 20 January 2007; (CC:by-nc-nd)
photo (c) sandwichgirl; McMurdo Sound, Antarctica; 20 January 2007; (CC:by-nc-nd)
photo (c) sandwichgirl; McMurdo Sound, Antarctica; 20 January 2007; (CC:by-nc-nd)
photo (c) sandwichgirl; McMurdo Sound, Antarctica; 20 January 2007; (CC:by-nc-nd)
photo (c) U.S. Naval Historical Center; near Christchurch, New Zealand; 27 November 1965; (publicdomain)
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation