Citation

Safronov AN. Polar Geogr. (Palm Beach) 2018; 41(2): 126-138.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1088937X.2018.1464077

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We investigated the disappearance of the 4-engine H-209 aircraft along its route from Moscow, Russia to Fairbanks, Alaska in August 1937 operated by Levanevsky and a crew of five people. A radiogram analysis indicates that the aircraft could have crashed in the Alaska Range and thus analysis centered on this region was performed. A mixed methods approach was used to find the missing plane, including examining aircraft radio messages, historic newspapers, and information from witnesses and participants in the H-209 search expeditions; creating a geographical information system that utilized satellite imagery, GMTED-2010 topography, knowledge of polar navigation principles using astronomical instruments, and the spatial distribution of radio signals in the Alaska Range. In one satellite image a plane crash was located near the top of the Mt. Deception and the fuselage-to-wing ratio indicates a configuration typical of low-speed cargo aircraft of the 1930s-1940s.

Language: en

Keywords

aircraft icing; Levanevsky; missing DBA H-209 aircraft; polar explorer; strong Arctic cyclone