Apollo 8 Astronaut William Anders, 90, Dies in T-34 Mentor Crash

SEATTLE, Wash. — William "Bill" Anders, the 90-year-old former NASA astronaut who orbited the moon on Apollo 8, died June 7 when his Beechcraft T-34A Mentor crashed in the San Juan Islands. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the legendary astronaut made a fatal error during a low-altitude maneuver near Jones Island.

NTSB Findings Point to Pilot Error

The NTSB's preliminary investigation found no mechanical failure contributed to the accident. According to investigators, Anders executed a low-altitude aerobatic maneuver starting at approximately 1,800 feet above water at 200 knots. The required radius for a successful pull-up under those conditions would have caused the aircraft to strike the water even with maximum recovery inputs, indicating a misjudgment of entry altitude. Anders was not wearing a parachute or personal flotation device.

Legacy Remembered

Anders, best known for photographing the iconic "Earthrise" during the 1968 Apollo 8 mission, served as the lunar module pilot on humanity's first crewed voyage to the moon. The accident sent shockwaves through the aerospace community, highlighting the risks of high-performance flying even for experienced pilots. The Heritage Flight Museum, where Anders was a co-founder and active volunteer, issued a tribute to the space pioneer.