Plane Crash In Antarctic
A charter aircraft carrying a six-person team of researchers and four crew members crashed in the Antarctic on December 20th. All of the people on board survived, but the airplane itself suffered severe damage.
A National Science Foundation (NSF)-chartered aircraft operating in Antarctica crashed shortly after take-off earlier this week while providing support to a group of researchers at a remote location on the southernmost continent. None of the 10 people aboard was injured, but the DC-3 Basler was severely damaged.
The aircraft, which is owned by Kenn Borek Air Ltd., a Canadian aviation firm, experienced difficulties in taking off from a field site near Mt. Patterson in West Antarctica on the morning of Dec. 20, local time (U.S. stations in Antarctica keep New Zealand time), roughly 550 miles from McMurdo Station, NSF's logistical hub in Antarctica.
Thankfully, everyone is safe. In case you're wondering what a DC-3 Basler is, it is a retrofit of the venerable Douglas DC-3 with Pratt&Whitney PT6A-67R Turbo Prop Engines installed. I have no idea how they will ever recover the wreck given its location. (Great DC-3 site here that has tons of information of this 70-plus year old warhorse. Some 400 of them are still flying in various configurations.)
World news | Gaius Friday, 21 December , 2007
By NortonPete, Saturday, 22 December , 2007 @ 6:33 am
That’s a shame about that plane, nobody hurt though. DC-3s are one of my favorite planes. We usually see one at a local airshow. The DC-3 site mentioned above is great. I’m looking through the various checklists, lots of information. No 3 point landings for that tail dragger. Thanks.
By martian, Sunday, 23 December , 2007 @ 1:16 pm
The Douglas DC-3 Dakota first flew on Dec. 17, 1935 (yes, it’s 72nd birthday was last week). It revolutionized air travel in the US being able to go coast to coast with only 2 refueling stops. It has seen service in every conflict (although only one purpose built military version was ever delivered) since 1935. There are still DC-2s flying in virtually every part of the world. Probably the most durable and versatile aircraft ever built.
Can you tell I like airplanes and flying?
By martian, Sunday, 23 December , 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Last sentence of the first paragraph should say DC-3s not DC-2s. There was a DC-2 aircraft built by Douglas, as well, but it wasn’t the workhorse the DC-3 was and is.
By NortonPete, Sunday, 23 December , 2007 @ 1:48 pm
martian,
Here is a fully restored one with only 12345 hours on the airframe and 280 SMOH on the left engine and 0 SMOH on the right and 0 SMOH on BOTH of the props
Decent avionics and new tires/brakes
A steal at $ 550,000.00 USD
www propwash com index/aircraftforsale/aviationitem252.htm
Use the tail number for your next lottery ticket. If you win I get
to go for a ride.
By NortonPete, Sunday, 23 December , 2007 @ 2:08 pm
I left out the dots in the url obviously, but be sure to hit the “full size images” under photos. Looking good.
By Gaius, Sunday, 23 December , 2007 @ 2:48 pm
That would make a lovely mobile unit for the Crabitat. Now all we need is a benefactor.
By NortonPete, Sunday, 23 December , 2007 @ 3:29 pm
“If wishes were airplanes(horses), beggars would fly(ride)”