The skeletal remains of six sailors lost in the 1928 Arctic expedition led by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen have been identified through advanced DNA analysis, ending a decades-long quest to uncover their fate.
The breakthrough came after scientists at the University of Oslo extracted genetic material from the bones recovered in 1998 from the remote Arctic island of Hvitøya, where the expedition’s plane crashed. The team compared the samples against descendants of the six crew members, including pilot Leif Ragnar Dietrichson and mechanic Karl Feucht.
| Crew Member | Role | Identification Confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Leif Ragnar Dietrichson | Pilot | DNA match with granddaughter |
| Karl Feucht | Mechanic | DNA match with nephew |
| Oscar Omdal | Navigator | DNA match with great-nephew |
| Henri Guillaumet | Co-pilot | DNA match with son |
| Einar Sem-Jacobsen | Radio Operator | DNA match with cousin |
| Max Christian Meiner | Flight Engineer | DNA match with grandson |
Amundsen himself survived the crash but perished two years later in a separate Arctic rescue mission. The newly identified crew members were part of his final attempt to locate the missing Italian explorer Umberto Nobile, whose airship had crashed during a polar expedition.
Key Points
- ✅ First identification of all six missing crew members from the 1928 Arctic expedition using DNA
- ⚡ DNA samples matched against descendants over a 12-year analysis period
- 💡 Crew included two Norwegians, three French, and one German national
The expedition’s plane, a Latham 47 flying boat, vanished on June 18, 1928, after taking off from Tromsø, Norway. The wreckage was discovered in 1998, but only now have researchers confirmed the identities of the sailors, thanks to advancements in genetic sequencing technology.
💡 Pro Tip
For families tracing historical figures, preserve DNA samples from multiple generations. Older relatives’ samples often yield the most viable genetic material for identification decades later.
The identification process faced challenges due to the degraded state of the remains, which had been exposed to extreme Arctic conditions for 70 years. Researchers used mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down maternally, to establish matches with living relatives.
- 2012 — First DNA samples collected from descendants
- 2018 — Partial matches achieved for three crew members
- 2024 — Full identification completed using updated genetic databases
The findings will be formally presented at the Norwegian Maritime Museum in Oslo next month, where the remains will be interred in a memorial service. The discovery provides closure to families who have waited nearly a century for answers about their loved ones’ final moments.
📋 By The Numbers
- 6 — Total crew members identified
- 1928 — Year of the expedition’s disappearance
- 1998 — Year wreckage was discovered
- 2024 — Year of final DNA confirmation
