Search for missing aircraft in Antarctica – wreckage found
Search for missing aircraft in Antarctica – wreckage found
The wreckage of the Twin Otter
aircraft missing in Antarctica since Wednesday night has
been found.
The aircraft wreckage is on a very
steep slope, close to the summit of Mt Elizabeth. It appears
to have made a direct impact that was not survivable. No
details are available on the cause of the
crash.
The next of kin have been
informed.
The site of the crash is at a height of
3,900m (13,000 feet) at the northern end of the Queen
Alexandra Range, within New Zealand’s Search and Rescue
Region – halfway between the South Pole and McMurdo
Station (approximately 680km or 370 nautical miles in each
direction).
Two helicopters, including a Southern
Lakes helicopter on contract to Scott Base, reached the site
at around 7.15pm (NZ time), having travelled from McMurdo
Base this afternoon to a forward base at Beardmore Glacier,
about 50km from the crash site. A landing was not possible.
They were able to survey the site briefly before returning
to the Beardmore Glacier site.
The Rescue
Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) has coordinated the
search for the aircraft, working with United States and
Canadian authorities.
RCCNZ Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator Tracy
Brickles said it was very sad end to the
operation.
“It has been difficult operation in
challenging conditions but we remained hopeful of a positive
result. Our thoughts are now with the families of the
crewmen.”
ENDS