BLIND LANDING AT McMURDO

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28425, 4 November 1957, Page 15

BLIND LANDING AT McMURDO

Globemaster In Blizzard

A United States Air Force Globemaster landed blind in an Antarctic blizzard, with one of its four engines out of action, on Friday evening. Piloted by Captain James Thomas, the aircraft was returning from a fuel drop at the Marie Byrd Land base when it was directed to the emergency landing strip at Cape Hallett, 300 miles north of McMurdo Sound, because the McMurdo strip was closed by bad weather.

By the time the aircraft was 100 miles north of McMurdo Sound another blizzard had closed the emergency landing strip at Cape Hallett and the aircraft was ordered to return to McMurdo Sound to attempt a landing with support from the G.C.A. equipment there. At McMurdo, winds up to 50 miles an hour, shifting and gusty, made the approach difficult Twice an attempt to land was made, but it was impossible for Captain Thomas to see the runway, or the control tower to see without using its radar. On the third attempt. Captain Thomas set the 70-ton aircraft down on the ice runway. Blowing snow made it impossible to taxi for more than a few minutes and it was not until the flashing red tail light was seen that the control tower knew the Globemaster had landed safely. For the first time in rhe threeyear history of the base the dog teams were alerted to assist La rescue.

The commander of the 53rd Troop Carrier Squadron (Lieu-tenant-Colonel Dixon J. Arnold), commended Captain Thomas and his crew for the “highest degree” of flying skill and gave special thanks to the United States Navy ground personnel for their alertness in meeting the emergency. A Globemaster, with the United States Air Force task unit commander (Colonel William C. Forward) on board, left Christchurch airport at 11.6 a.m. on Saturday for McMurdo Sound but was forced to return shortly after noon with heater trouble. Repairs were completed and the aircraft took off at 11 a.m. yesterday.

Beautifying Association’s Officers.—Officers elected at the annual meeting of the Christchulth Beautifying Association were:— Patron and patroness, Sir Ernest and Lady Andrews; president, Mr W. R. Dailey; vice-presidents, Messrs N. Tillman, J. Watling, L. W. Menzies, and S. Hall; secretarytreasurer, Miss B. A. Hart; committee. Messrs R. Proctor, A. J. Dewar, E. Rodgers, B. Owens, F. Walton, W. R. Cooper, M. R. Webley. Mesdames E. Royfee, W. R. Dailey, and B. McMaster.