Charles F. Blair Jr. (July 19, 1909 – September 2, 1978) was an American aviation pioneer who helped work out the routes and navigation techniques necessary for long-distance flights.

He died in a transportation accident in the Caribbean while captaining a Grumman Goose seaplane for his airline, Antilles Air Boats.

[1] When America entered World War II, Blair was called into active duty and flew with the Naval Air Transport Service, reaching the rank of captain.

Arriving there after 25 hours and 45 minutes in the air, he was the first to carry passengers and mail on a non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in a flying boat, long after a number of dirigibles.

While working for American he started his own small transport service, flying personnel and material on special request flights to areas in need.

Blair also helped helped Dr. Ralph Cox with collecting a war surplus DC-4 from Bradley Field in Spring 1946, its conversion to civilian configuration and later flight from New York City to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia on behalf of Aramco (including transporting Egyptian leader Mahmoud El Nokrashy Pasha to Cairo, Egypt)[2] in November 1946.

In 1950 Pan American World Airways purchased a P-51 Mustang to allow Blair a chance to attempt a new long-distance record.

A P-51C equipped with long-range internal fuel tanks, the aircraft had been flown by Paul Mantz, winning the transcontinental Bendix Trophy air races in 1946 and 1947, and finishing second in 1948 and third in 1949.

In 1974 Blair purchased two Sandringham flying boats from Ansett Airlines that had serviced the Sydney-to-Lord Howe Island route.

After joining the U.S. Navy, then Ensign Blair married Janice Evelyn Davis in Wallingford, Vermont on September 6, 1932.

[citation needed] On March 11, 1968, Charles Blair was married for the fourth time, to the actress Maureen O'Hara, whom he had first met on a flight to Ireland in 1947.

He immediately feathered his port propeller and shut down the engine, while adding power to the starboard in an attempt to maintain level flight.

When the tower responded Blair said he would land in the protected waters of the West Gregerie Channel, and he requested a boat to pick up his passengers.

Overhearing the calls, a second Antilles Air Boats aircraft that happened to be in the vicinity approached from above and gained visual contact.

[12] Blair was unable to maintain level flight on the single functioning engine and was losing 300 to 400 feet of altitude a minute.

Among the pilots at Antilles Air Boats the broadly held belief was if they were limited to one engine they would not go down, as they could use ground effect to stay aloft.

The wind coming from the southeast provided a considerable tailwind to Blair's aircraft, increasing his speed relative to the surface of the water.

The plane contacted the chopped conditions of the ocean's surface at a high speed, with the starboard wing low.

[12] After its investigation, the NTSB concluded that pre-flight planning was improper because the maintenance release was falsified by a licensed mechanic.

The plane was flown 22 hrs beyond the scheduled inspection time with the knowledge of certain key managers, supervisors, and licensed personnel.

After the engine failed, the captain did not warn or brief the passengers concerning life vests, emergency exits, or the developing situation.

Foynes' sheltered inlet made for a good operation area for flying boats, and it was the last port of call on Ireland's western shore.

[13] On July 8, 1989, his widow, Maureen O'Hara, cut the opening ceremony ribbon for the Foynes Flying Boat and Maritime Museum.

[16] Blair's Sandringham Flying boat VP-LVE "Southern Cross" has been the center piece of the Southampton Hall of Aviation since 1984.

The plane has been restored to appear as it did for Ansett Flying Boat Services, with registration number VH-BRC and the name "Beachcomber".