According to Daily Mail, Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders tragically lost his life in a fiery plane crash while performing an aerial greeting near a friend's house on Orcas Island.

William Anders, aged 90, a storied figure from the early days of space exploration, experienced a catastrophic end to his flight around 11:37 am on June 7.

Anders, piloting his small aircraft, was captured on video in what appeared to be a nearly vertical descent into the waters near Orcas Island. As the plane impacted the lake, it immediately created a large fireball.

Celebrated Astronaut's Final Flight

On that fateful morning, William Anders had texted a friend, informing her of his plans to conduct a flyby near her residence on the western shore of the beloved island. This was a regular gesture for Anders, who enjoyed these personal flybys, yet he was known for his restraint, never venturing into complex aerobatics.

“He typically did two flybys, and while he sometimes rocked the airplane wings, he never performed any kind of aerobatic maneuvers,” the friend recalled, as noted in a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The tragedy unfolded quickly, with another witness capturing the moment the plane plummeted towards the water. Anders' aircraft ultimately submerged near Jones Island's north end, a short distance from where he intended to salute his friend. The recovery of Anders’ body took place on the afternoon of the crash, marking a grim conclusion to the day's events.

Legendary 'Earthrise' Photographer

Besides being an experienced pilot, William Anders was immortalized in history for his role in the Apollo 8 mission. During this mission, he captured the breathtaking 'Earthrise' photograph, which showcased Earth's vibrant beauty against the stark, barren lunar horizon. This moment significantly bolstered the burgeoning environmental movement and remains a powerful symbol of our planet’s fragility.

Anders himself reflected on the profound impact of that experience, saying, “We came to explore the moon and what we discovered was the Earth.” The astronaut expressed how the delicate, colorful view of Earth juxtaposed against the moon's stark landscape left a lasting impression on him; a sentiment echoed throughout his life.

William Anders’ contributions to the Apollo program were not just limited to his photography. He also played a crucial role in ensuring the spacecraft's functionality during the Apollo 8 mission. This mission proved foundational, setting the stage for the eventual moon landing by Apollo 11 in July 1969.

While the later moon landing somewhat eclipsed the historical significance of Apollo 8, Anders never returned to space after this mission. His son Greg Anders succinctly captured his father's dual legacy as a skilled pilot and a space pioneer: "He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly."

Reflections on a Storied Life

In a 1997 interview with NASA, Anders mused on the risks and patriotic significance of the Apollo 8 mission. His journey into space was marked by a profound recognition of humanity's place within the broader cosmos, a theme that underpinned his later reflections on our planet's vulnerability.

From his historic spaceflight to his peaceful, though dramatic, final moments above Orcas Island, William Anders lived a life punctuated by soaring achievements and a relentless pursuit of the skies. His death, while deeply tragic, underscores the inherent risks tied to the fields of aviation and space exploration, yet his legacy as an astronaut will forever resonate in the annals of space history and beyond.

Conclusion

As we recount the esteemed life of William Anders from his historical orbit around the moon to his tragic final flight, the enduring impact of his 'Earthrise' image, and his unyielding passion for flight reverberates. His story remains a poignant reminder of the bravery inherent in all pioneers of sky and space, and his memory will continue to inspire generations to look upward and beyond.