An Australian team has pulled off a rare and daring midwinter aero-medical evacuation of a United States expeditioner in Antarctica.
Australian aviation company Skytraders said it mobilised its Airbus A319 after an “urgent request for assistance” late last month.
After an initial attempt was delayed due to severe weather, Skytraders said it was able to depart Hobart on July 31 at 2:44am.
Snowbird 1’s crew flew the patient to Christchurch, New Zealand for medical treatment. (Supplied: Skytraders)
It landed at US-operated McMurdo Station 5.5 hours later in complete darkness and freezing temperatures.
“Operating in extremely challenging conditions and temperatures as low as -43 degrees Celsius (-45°F), the crew safely transferred the patient before departing Antarctica ahead of deteriorating conditions,” Skytraders said in a statement.
The plane, known as Snowbird 1, then flew later that day to Christchurch in New Zealand, where the patient was treated.
Details about the circumstances that led to their medical evacuation have not been disclosed.
Winter flights ‘significantly’ more complex
The pilot, Captain Al Wallach, said the mission proved successful because of years of preparation, specialist training and coordination between flight crews, meteorologists, operational planners, runway teams and medical personnel.
“Every Antarctic mission demands absolute precision, but winter operations raise the complexity significantly,” Captain Wallach said.The ‘amazing’ experience of landing a jet on an ice runway
“The conditions we encountered were right on the edge of even the most specialised aircraft capability.”
He said his team’s focus throughout the mission was on the safety of the patient and crew.
“Our thoughts remain with the patient, and we wish them a full recovery,” he said.
The Australian Antarctic Program uses the same Skytraders plane for its intercontinental flights between Hobart and Wilkins Aerodrome in Antarctica.
Wilkins Aerodrome typically stops being used in March each year due to deteriorating conditions.
The plane took advantage of a narrow weather window during the Antarctic winter to land. (Supplied: Skytraders)
Skytraders described its midwinter mission as “extraordinary” and said “Australia has reinforced [itself as] a world leader in specialist Antarctic aviation”.
The US National Science Foundation (NSF) told the ABC it requested assistance from the Australian Antarctic Division and the New Zealand Defence Force to transport the US Antarctic Program (USAP) participant to Christchurch for emergency medical treatment.
“The individual arrived at Christchurch on July 31 and was admitted to Christchurch Hospital in serious condition,” it said.
“NSF is grateful to USAP on-station first responders who provided initial emergency medical care, as well as our Australian and New Zealand partners for their life-saving transportation support in dangerous Antarctic winter conditions.”
It said medical evacuations at this time of year can be extremely risky.
“Winter weather in Antarctica is severe,” it said.
“USAP team members who keep the U.S. stations running over winter endure continuous darkness, unpredictable visibility and temperatures that can drop below -58°F in McMurdo.
“Winter medical evacuations occur infrequently and can be extremely dangerous, requiring significant skill and experience to execute successfully.”