Christchurch – Cape Hallett – McMurdo Sound – Christchurch

On October 16, 1958 at 09:03 AM, Christchurch – Cape Hallett – McMurdo Sound – Christchurch experienced a crash involving Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Cape Hallett All Antarctica.

The flight was categorized as supply and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a plain, valley crash site.

13 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 6 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 53.8%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 10, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The crew departed Christchurch on a supply mission to the bases of Cape Hallett and McMurdo Sound, carrying seven passengers, a crew of six and a load of 8,5 tons of wood. While approaching Cape Hallett at the altitude of 7,000 feet in a 'VMC on top' mode, the aircraft was already off course by 29 km. The pilot started the descent to 6,500 feet, completed a first turn to the right at 345° then a second turn to the left at 270° before reaching the Cape Hallett Bay. Shortly later, the crew reduced his altitude to 2,400 feet, went through the cloud layer at a speed of 135 knots and flaps were extended when the airplane struck the ground and disintegrated. The wreckage was spotted few hours later 37 km from the Cape Hallett camp and six wounded people were evacuated while seven others were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration 52-1017, MSN 43926, year of manufacture 1952.