Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 8 October 1970
Aircraft Type: Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation
Owner/operator: United States Navy
Registration Number: 131644
Location: McMurdo Sound –
ÿ Antarctica
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 80
Component Affected: Right wingRight wing
Category: Accident
A Super Constellation aircraft encountered severe weather conditions in Antarctica, resulting in a landing failure. Visibility deteriorated to zero due to blowing snow, leading to a collision with a snow bank and damage to the right wing.A Super Constellation aircraft encountered severe weather conditions in Antarctica, resulting in a landing failure. Visibility deteriorated to zero due to blowing snow, leading to a collision with a snow bank and damage to the right wing.
Description
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.
Primary Cause
Severe weather conditions, specifically blowing snow, significantly reduced visibility and created a hazardous landing environment.Severe weather conditions, specifically blowing snow, significantly reduced visibility and created a hazardous landing environment.Share on:
