Accident description
Last updated: 22 May 2013
| Status: | Final |
| Date: | 28 DEC 1948 |
| Type: | Douglas DC-3DST-144 |
| Operator: | Airborne Transport |
| Registration: | NC16002 |
| C/n / msn: | 1496 |
| First flight: | 1936 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 28257 |
| Engines: | 2 Wright R-1820-G102A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 29 / Occupants: 29 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 32 / Occupants: 32 |
| Airplane damage: | Missing |
| Airplane fate: | mis |
| Location: | off Florida, USA [Gulf of Mexico] (Atlantic Ocean) |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Non Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | San Juan-Isla Grande Airport (SIG/TJIG), Puerto Rico |
| Miami International Airport, FL (MIA/KMIA), United States of America |
The DC-3 departed San Juan for Miami with some known problems in the electrical system and nearly discharged batteries. Takeoff clearance was given provided that the crew contacted San Juan Tower after take off to file an IFR flight plan. This was not done. The aircraft continued to Miami however at 8500 feet cruising altitude. Last radio contact was with New Orleans at 04:13 when the pilot reported 50 miles South of Miami. Nothing more was heard from the flight. It is thought that the aircraft had already passed Florida at the Keys and was flying west over the Gulf of Mexico until fuel became exhausted. Radio contact was probably no longer possible due to electrical problems and exhausted batteries.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board lacks sufficient information in this case to determine the probable cause." Sources:
» CAB File No. 1-0118
» The Bermuda Triangle Mystery- Solved / L.D. Kusche
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from San Juan-Isla Grande Airport to Miami International Airport, FL as the crow flies is 1663 km (1039 miles).
Distance from San Juan-Isla Grande Airport to Miami International Airport, FL as the crow flies is 1663 km (1039 miles).
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Douglas DC-3
- 1535th loss
- ca 13.000 built
- worst accident (at the time)
- 24th worst accident (currently)
Atlantic Ocean- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 16th worst accident (currently)