Hercules On Way Back From Byrd

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31164, 14 September 1966, Page 1

Hercules On Way Back From Byrd

The United States Navy ski-equipped Hercules which flew to Byrd Station, Antarctica, to bring out a sick American scientist is expected to land at Christchurch Airport about 7.30 a.m. today.

The scientist, Mr Armand L. Spitz, aged 27, of Fairfax, Virginia, was “looking and riding well,” according to the commander of the Navy’s VX6 Squadron (Commander D. Balish) in a radio message to Christchurch from the Hercules during its 885-mile flight to the McMurdo skiway last evening. Mr Spitz is suffering from appendicitis.

A medical report received in Christchurch earlier yesterday said that the condition of Mr Spitz was steady, and that abdominal tenderness had beep relieved.

The Hercules, which left Christchurch at 10 p.m. on Monday, landed at McMurdo at 6.58 a.m. yesterday—one hour seven minutes later than estimated, because of strong head winds on the 2400-mile flight. At Byrd Station visibility was down to 110 yards to a mile, snow was blowing, there was a cloud ceiling of 700 ft, and the temperature varied between minus 30 degrees and minus 40 degrees. These conditions were not expected to improve until 9 a.m. today. After waiting nine hours, during which the plane was refuelled and fresh produce and mail for men at McMurdo and Scott Base were unloaded, Commander Balish decided to attempt the flight to Byrd Station. The Hercules took off at 4 p.m., and landed at Byrd Station at 7.30 p.m. Commander Balish described the lighting at Byrd Station, where it was night, as outstanding. He said he could see the skiway from 50 miles out.

Blazing oil flares, two trailers of high-intensity lights, and vehicle head-lights illuminated the 8000 ft skiway, he said. The skiway was in good condition, and landing and departure were uneventful.

Commander Balish said the Hercules was on the ground at Byrd Station for only 29 minutes. In that time more

fresh produce and mail were unloaded. At 8.4 p.m. the Hercules roared away from Byrd Station. It landed at the McMurdo skiway at 11.6 p.m., and took off for Christchurch at 12.40 a.m. As soon as the Hercules

lands here today Mr Spitz will be taken to the Christchurch Hospital. Captain V. D. Bursik, de-puty-commander of the United States Navy Antarctic support force, said late last evening that he was extremely pleased with the way the commander of the VX6 Squadron had handled the operation. This is the fourth time the Navy’s VX6 Squadron has been required to evacuate a sick person from the Antarctic out of season.