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Apollo 8 astronaut behind iconic photo killed in plane crash

“In 1968, during Apollo 8, Bill Anders offered to humanity among the deepest of gifts an astronaut can give. He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves. He embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration. We will miss him," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.

By Andrew Wulfeck Source FOX Weather

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SEATTLE – Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, who was credited with taking one of the most iconic photos of the Earth and Moon, died Friday during a plane crash in Washington state.

Authorities said the vintage Air Force T-34 Mentor crashed before noon local time off Jones Island, and Anders was the only soul onboard.

Video taken in the moments before the crash showed the 90-year-old pilot performing maneuvers but was unable to escape a dive before crashing into the water.

Anders’ loved ones, including fellow space enthusiasts, took to social media after learning about the crash to reminisce about the astronaut’s contributions to humankind.

"In 1968, during Apollo 8, Bill Anders offered to humanity among the deepest of gifts an astronaut can give. He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves. He embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration. We will miss him," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.

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Portrait of the crew of NASA's Apollo 8, Florida, December 1968. Pictured are, from left, command module pilot James Lovell, lunar module pilot William Anders, and Commander Frank Borman. (NASA/Interim Archives/Getty Images)

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Group portrait of, from left, American astronauts William Anders, James Lovell, and Frank Borman, all of whom participated in NASA's Apollo 8 mission, as they pose together at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois, April 5, 2018. (J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago/Getty Images)

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From L to R, Apollo 8 astronauts spacecraft Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders, who became the first humans to escape Earth's gravity and the first humans to see the far side of the Moon, look up at cheering crewmen on the upper deck of the USS Yorktown, recovery ship for the Apollo 8 mission, 27 December 1968, after having steped from the helicopter which brought them from their landing point in the Pacific ocean. After launching 21 December 1968, the crew took three days to travel to the Moon, orbited it ten times, 20 hours in total, and landed 27 December 1968 in the Pacific. (NASA/AFP via Getty Images)

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Close-up of American astronaut William Anders, of NASA's Apollo 8 mission, during a panel interview held at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois, April 5, 2018. (J.B. Spector/Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago/Getty Images)

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Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, who was credited with taking one of the most iconic photos of the Earth and Moon, died Friday during a plane crash in Washington state. ( )

SEE THE OBJECTS HUMANS LEFT BEHIND ON THE MOON

Astronauts Frank Borman and James Lovell accompanied Anders during what was the first crewed mission to reach the far side of the Moon and orbit Earth's only natural satellite.

The crew orbited the Moon ten times without making a lunar landing, and during one of the rotations, Anders took the magnificent photo of what is called "Earthrise."

"As the spacecraft was in the process of rotating, Anders took this iconic picture showing Earth rising over the Moon’s horizon. In 2018, the International Astronomical Union commemorated the event by naming a 25-mile diameter crater "Anders’ Earthrise," NASA previously stated.

Lovell is the only surviving member of the original Apollo 8 crew.

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The remnants of Anders’ plane are expected to be removed from the water and transferred to a facility where members of the National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation.

The weather did not appear to be a factor in the incident, as winds were less than 15 mph, and skies were mostly sunny.

During Anders’ career in the United States Air Force and retirement, the pilot had amassed thousands of flying hours and was the founder of the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington, Washington.

The museum specializes in displaying vintage aircraft, much like the one Anders perished in on Friday.

"Heritage Flight Museum is deeply saddened to confirm that one of our Founders, Bill Anders, was killed in an aircraft accident. The museum will be closed until further notice. Please respect our need to grieve the passing of a great father and great pilot," the operators of the museum posted to Facebook after learning about the crash.