Pan American aircraft fatally sank after departing Puerto Rico in April 1952.
Wreckage of a Douglas DC-4 which fatally ditched and sank in the Atlantic, while attempting a return to Puerto Rico nearly 75 years ago, has been discovered during a deep-sea search.
Operated by Pan American World Airways, the four-engined aircraft (N88899) was located on 2 June at a depth of some 2,000ft.
It had departed San Juan for New York on 11 April 1952 but, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board investigation, the aircraft was not airworthy owing to the condition of its right-hand inboard Pratt & Whitney R-2000 engine.
Although this engine had been running rough on the inbound flight the day before, and metal flakes were discovered on arrival in San Juan, required maintenance procedures – including an engine change – were not carried out.
The engine indicated falling oil pressure shortly after take-off from San Juan’s runway 9, and the captain decided to return to the airport.
But attempts to increase engine power to climb resulted in the right outboard engine backfiring at a height of about 300-500ft.
The inquiry found that the captain persisted with attempting to climb without using all available power on the functioning engines.
“This resulted in a nose-high attitude, progressive loss of airspeed and the settling of the aircraft at too low an altitude to effect recovery,” it states, describing the captain’s flying technique as “questionable”.
After losing height the aircraft ditched on water, less than 10min after departure, and sank in just 3min in the heavy sea. While the five crew members – including three pilots – survived, 52 of the 64 passengers did not.
“The passengers were not told where the jackets were located or instructed in their use by any crew member prior to ditching,” says the inquiry. “As a result, considerable confusion occurred.”
Only one life-raft was launched in the short time available, says the inquiry. The aircraft sank to a depth of 2,000ft and “could not be recovered”.
Noting previous accidents in which there had been insufficient time to prepare for ditching, it recommended fitting life-vests in approved, easily-accessible locations, and briefing passengers on their use – including a demonstration – prior to take-off on extended overwater flights.
The wreckage of the aircraft, named ‘Clipper Endeavor’, was found after an investigation by the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation in partnership with underwater search specialist Deep Sea Vision.
Discovery Channel, which is to broadcast a television documentary on the hunt, says the aircraft was found broken into two sections.
“Photographic survey of the wreck site provided conclusive identification with images clearly showing the iconic winged Pan American logo and aircraft name still legible on the battered, but largely intact and well-preserved fuselage,” it adds.
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