The working group has carefully
assessed previously obtained information together with new
evidence. The group considers the reports made by
Hovdenak/Hoel and Riiser-Larsen to be thorough and
comprehensive. It has not been possible to follow up all of
the information and finds that have been made available, or
verify some of the older information in cases where relevant
documentation has been lost. In these areas, the group has
based its conclusions on previous assessments, or in some
cases has chosen to disregard the information altogether. The
information that has made an essential contribution towards
shedding new light on the incident has largely been provided
by the Institute of Marine Research in Bergen, the Main Rescue
Co-ordinaiton Centre for North Norway and the Norwegian
Meteorological Institute. By combining all of the available
information and related analyses, two possible locations for
the accident have arisen. One off the island of Karlsøy and
the other in the area south and west of Bjørnøya.
It is beyond doubt that several people observed aircraft west
of Karlsøy, at Sommerset, Hillesøya and Vasstranda, at the
time of the “Latham’s” flight, but we cannot eliminate the
possibility that some of these were sightings of the “Marina
I” during its search for the “Latham.” It is the opinion
of the working group that most of the facts, calculations and
probabilities coupled together in one general assessment,
indicate that the accident took place in the area west of
Bjørnøya.
Today, given the facts and information available, it is not possible to reach a conclusion with regard to where the “Latham” incident took place, without validation, or invalidation, of the wreckage that the “Kvitholmen” brought to the surface in 1933. Locating and raising this piece of wreckage may bring us closer to a solution. An analysis of the sheet of plywood on Edgeøya island will only serve to strengthen the theory that the accident occurred west of Bjørnøya.
6.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Today, possible
confirmation of where the “Latham” was lost is attainable. In
the light of the analyses that have been made, the special
expert group recommends a search for the object that the
“Kvitholmen” brought to the surface in 1933, and which was
then identified as part of a wrecked aircraft. The search
should be made by a vessel with a remote controlled submarine
at the position where the M/V “Kvitholmen” made its find.
After 75 years, one can only expect to find remains of the two
engines.
There is still considerable
interest in Roald Amundsen and his fate. A search operation,
and the media coverage it would incite, might serve to unveil
new accounts and finds. Such accounts and finds should be
thoroughly examined, but are now beyond the jurisdiction of
the initiative taken by the Norwegian Aviation Museum.
