Region
Antarctica

Crash of a De Havilland UC-1 Otter in Cape Bird

Date & Time: Dec 22, 1955
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-3 Otter
Operator:
Registration:
142424
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
76
YOM:
1955
Location:
Cape Bird, Ross Island
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The Otter was part of Operation Deep Freeze 1 in Antarctica. After takeoff the pilot reported that his controls were stuck. The aircraft descended again and struck the snow hard. Both main ski struts were forced into the fuselage as the airplane crash-landed. Salvageable parts were removed and the aircraft was left to float out on the sea ice.

Crash of a Douglas R4D-5 at SP-3 Polar Station

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-N417
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Refuelling
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
9357
YOM:
1943
Location:
SP-3 Polar Station
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 approach to SP-3 Polar Station in foggy conditions, the airplane was too low and hit a hummocked ice ridge. On impact, the skis were sheared off and the aircraft belly landed and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was not repaired.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in SP-2 Polar Station

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-N359
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
23441901
Location:
SP-2 Polar Station
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taking off, the aircraft hit ice hummocks with its right wing and crashed. The occupant fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-25-DK at SP-2 Polar Station

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1950 at 0005 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-N369
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
15960/32708
YOM:
1945
Location:
SP-2 Polar Station
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taking off by night at a speed of about 80 mph, the airplane encountered problem to gain height when the left wing hit an ice heap. The left main gear was sheared off and the aircraft banked left to right. The right wing hit an ice heap as well and the aircraft stalled before crashing and coming to rest 800 meters past the runway end. The captain and the flight engineer were injured while five other occupants were unhurt. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned in situ. Without giving further details, investigators stated that the captain has had a dismissive and arrogant attitude before departure and started the flight by demonstrating overconfidence.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner in Antarctica: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1946
Type of aircraft:
Martin PBM Mariner
Operator:
Registration:
59098
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Antarctica
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Hit the ice and crashed on Thurston Island, Antarctica. Three crew members were killed and six others were rescued 13 days later.

Crash of a Fokker F14 in Little America

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1934
Type of aircraft:
Fokker F14
Operator:
Registration:
NC331N
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1411
YOM:
1930
Location:
Little America
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed for unknown reason while taking off from the Little America Camp. There were no casualties.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60M Moth in Antarctica: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1929
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.60 Moth
Operator:
Registration:
N-42
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1339
YOM:
1929
Location:
Antarctica
All Antarctica
Country:
Antarctica
Region:
Antarctica
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The Norwegian aviator Lief Lier was taking part to a complete season (year 1929/1930) of research over Antarctica to localise whales on behalf of the Hvalfangstselskapet Kosmos (Kosmos Whales Company). The airplane was on its way with two people on board, the pilot Lief Lier and Ingvald Schreiner, doctor of the expedition. At the end of the day, the airplane failed to return to the boat and SAR operations were initiated. They were abandoned a week later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
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