1946 Antarctica PBM Mariner crash
Wreckage and survivors of the crash photographed on January 11, 1947
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| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | December 30, 1946 |
| Summary | Severe weather |
| Site | Thurston Island, Antarctica |
| Crew | 9 |
| Fatalities | 3 |
| Survivors | 6 |
| Aircraft type | Martin PBM Mariner |
| Operator | United States Navy |
The 1946 Antarctica PBM Mariner crash occurred on December 30, 1946, on Thurston Island, Antarctica when a United States Navy PBM Mariner crashed during a blizzard. The aircraft, designated George 1, was supporting Operation Highjump.
The crash killed crewmembers Aviation Radiomen Wendell K. Hendersin and Fredrick W. Williams and Ensign Maxwell A. Lopez. Six surviving crewmembers, including Aviation Radioman James H. Robbins and co-pilot William Kearns, were rescued 13 days later by an aircraft from USS Pine Island (AV-12). Hendersin, Williams, and Lopez were buried at the crash site and their remains have not been recovered.
A two-expedition recovery mission was planned but subsequently cancelled for November 2008 and November 2009 to recover the three fatalities of the crash from their 150-foot-deep 61-year-old temporary grave.
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