The Crash of Bluebird
On the 9th of November 1961 the Neptune P2V (BRUNO 140439) named "Bluebird" crashed on the plateau near Wilkes station. Accounts of the accident have been compiled, and as much information as possible added, by Billy-Ace Baker. Bluebird had just flown a geomagnetic survey mission out to Mirny Station and was en route back to McMurdo Station. After spending the night at Wilkes the plane was taking off for the return to McMurdo. Tragically on take off a fire ignited in the rear of the aircraft resulting in it crashing near the makeshift Wilkes air strip. Of the 9 crew only 4 survived.
Bill Burch, one of Wilkes 1961 crew, witnessed the crash and after hearing the story repeated, having gone through the "chinese whisper circuit" and becoming quite inaccurate, wrote about it in a story he titled "The All American Boy" as a record of the visit of the aircraft, it's crew, and the crash.
In 1996/1997 Darryn Schneider and some friends went up onto the plateau to visit the crash site. The snow accumulation is considerable on the edge of Law Dome where the crash site is. Only the very tip of the plane's tail was visible with a bit of digging. It is buried now.
There are no memorials at Casey (the replacement of Wilkes) to remind us of the men who perished in this terrible accident. A bronze memorial plaque, largely sponsored by the Old Antarctic Explorers Associaton (OAEA) of the USA has now been cast and was first displayed publicly at the 50th reunion of the 1961 party in Hobart at the AAD HQ. A special guest, who had flown out especially from America, was the Co-pilot, Ernest Hand. One of the 1961 party, also from the USA, Stan Wilson, conducted a short unveiling and dedication ceremony at which Erniest Hand paid a moving tribute to his comrades. The plaque was shipped to Casey and has been placed on a cairn on the hill where the graves of the two Australians who died at Wilkes, one in 1959, the other in 1968, are located. This site is a regular stop for visitors to Wilkes from Casey, and is clearly visible from the station. The Casey 2012 crew under the Leadership of Mark Hunt are expected to conduct a final dedication and unveiling ceremony as soon as the weather permits.
Stan Wilson (on left) and Ernest Hand at Antarctic Division HQ after unveiling the plaque.
Those who died
Dr. Edward Thiel, geo-physicist from the University of Wisconsin
LCDR William D. Counts, Russian language expert
LTJG Romauld P. Compton navigator
AMH1 William W. Chastain, metalsmith
ADR2 James L. Gray, flight engineer
Survivors
LT E. J. Stetz -Pilot
LTJG E. L. Hand - Co-Pilot
AE1 J. C. Shaffer
AT1 C. C. Allen
Photo of James Gray provided by his sister Connie Gray Siemen.
The crash site in 1996/1997
