William Anders : “San Juan Plane Crash: Apollo Astronaut William Anders Identified”

The aviation community mourns the loss of Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, who tragically lost his life in a plane crash in waters near the San Juan Islands on Friday. The 90-year-old astronaut, known for capturing the iconic “Earthrise” photo from space in 1968, was piloting alone in an older model Beechcraft T-34 Mentor when the aircraft crashed into the water and sank near the north end of Jones Island shortly before noon.

His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. During his illustrious career as an astronaut, Anders, alongside fellow astronauts Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, made history in 1968 by becoming the first three people to fly to and orbit the Moon.

Anders, a seasoned pilot with over 6,000 hours of flying time, contributed significantly to the field of space exploration and photography. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reported that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash that claimed his life.

The San Juan County Sheriff, Eric Peter, reported that the crash occurred between Orcas Island and Jones Island at approximately 11:40 am. Search efforts, led by the Coast Guard and members of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, are currently underway to locate any debris and investigate the cause of the tragic incident.

The legacy of William Anders, a pioneer in space exploration, will forever be remembered for his contributions to humanity’s understanding of the cosmos. The aviation community expresses its deepest condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.