ORCAS, WA – William Anders, a retired Major General and one of the first astronauts to travel to the moon, died in a plane crash on Friday in Washington state. The tragic incident was confirmed by his son Greg Anders.
Before midday, emergency teams were dispatched due to reports of a plane crash occurring between Orcas and Jones Island, as affirmed by the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest. Speaking about the family’s feelings, Greg Anders stated, “The family is devastated…He was a great pilot, and we will miss him terribly.”
William Anders was a part of the Apollo 8 crew and one of the earliest individuals to have voyaged to the Moon. He is best remembered for capturing the famous “Earthrise” photo while in lunar orbit on Christmas Eve of 1968, according to NASA. During a broadcast on the same day, the Apollo 8 crew read verses from the Book of Genesis and wished viewers a Merry Christmas and good luck. To honor his contribution, the Anders Crater on the moon has been named after him.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) verified to Fox News Digital that the aircraft involved in the accident was a vintage Air Force T-34 Mentor. The FAA stated that the pilot was the only person on board at the time of the crash. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office mentioned they are collaborating with the Coast Guard to conduct a search and rescue operation and
Currently, the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are carrying out an investigation into the cause of the crash.