Search for 1968 Plane Crash Victims in Lake Superior, Michigan

A high-tech unmanned vessel equipped with sonar and cameras is set to search for the wreckage of a Beechcraft Queen Air that crashed in Lake Superior in 1968, resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The aircraft was on a scientific mission to collect data on temperature and water radiation for the National Center for Atmospheric Research when it lost contact with the Houghton County airport on October 23, 1968. Despite extensive searches in the following years, no trace of the plane or its occupants has been found. The search operation is being led by the Smart Ships Coalition, which includes over 60 universities, government agencies, and organizations focused on maritime technology. The autonomous vessel, named Armada 8, is being supported by boats and crew from Michigan Tech University’s Great Lakes Research Center. Wayne Lusardi, the state’s maritime archaeologist, expressed optimism about the search, acknowledging the challenges posed by the deep waters of Lake Superior. Family members of the victims are aware of the renewed search efforts, although it remains uncertain what actions would be taken if the wreckage is discovered. Typically, Michigan authorities do not permit the disturbance of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, which adds a layer of complexity to the mission. The search will also involve mapping previously uncharted areas of the lakebed, contributing to the understanding of the region’s underwater landscape. David Naftzger, executive director of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers, emphasized the importance of the mission, highlighting its potential to showcase new applications of technology in maritime exploration. Regardless of the outcome, the operation aims to yield valuable insights into the lakebed and advance the field of maritime autonomous technologies.