Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 in Cape Hallett

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Registration:
17163
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
12519
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cape Hallett
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear on landing.

Crash of a Douglas C-124C Globemaster II near Cape Hallett: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1958 at 0903 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
Operator:
Registration:
52-1017
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Christchurch – Cape Hallett – McMurdo Sound – Christchurch
MSN:
43926
YOM:
1952
Location:
Cape Hallett
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
9514
Captain / Total hours on type:
1146.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1096
Copilot / Total hours on type:
244
Circumstances:
The crew departed Christchurch on a supply mission to the bases of Cape Hallett and McMurdo Sound, carrying seven passengers, a crew of six and a load of 8,5 tons of wood. While approaching Cape Hallett at the altitude of 7,000 feet in a 'VMC on top' mode, the aircraft was already off course by 29 km. The pilot started the descent to 6,500 feet, completed a first turn to the right at 345° then a second turn to the left at 270° before reaching the Cape Hallett Bay. Shortly later, the crew reduced his altitude to 2,400 feet, went through the cloud layer at a speed of 135 knots and flaps were extended when the airplane struck the ground and disintegrated. The wreckage was spotted few hours later 37 km from the Cape Hallett camp and six wounded people were evacuated while seven others were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of several navigational error on part of the crew who was unaware of his exact position when starting the final descent to Cape Hallett camp. Poor visibility due to clouds remains a contributory factor.
Subscribe to Cape Hallett