Last updated: 5 December 2021
| Status: | Final |
| Date: | Friday 3 October 1941 |
| Time: | 17:48 |
| Type: | Sikorsky S-42B |
| Operator: | Pan American Airways (Pan Am) |
| Registration: | NC15376 |
| MSN: | 4206 |
| First flight: | 1936 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7832 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney R-1690-S1EG Hornet |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 21 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 27 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | San Juan harbor ( Puerto Rico)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | International Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | San Pedro de Macorís Seaplane Base, Dominican Republic |
| San Juan (unknown airport), Puerto Rico | |
| Flightnumber: | 203 |
Pan American World Airways Trip 203 originated at Miami, Florida, and was bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina, with numerous intermediate stops including those
at Antilla, Cuba; Port au Prince, Haiti; San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
"Dominican Clipper" proceeded normally throughout its entire route except for becoming increasingly behind schedule. Following the approach to San Juan harbor, the airplane contacted the water in a nose-low attitude while moving sideways relative to the water. Almost immediately after first contact with the water the aircraft swerved violently to the right and broke into several major sections.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE:
The failure of the captain to exercise requisite caution and skill in landing. The smooth surface of the water which rendered difficult the captain's depth perception, as well as the exact determination of any lateral movement of the aircraft, constituted a substantial contributing factor.
Accident investigation:
|
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Water
Photos
accident date: 03-10-1941
type: Sikorsky S-42B
registration: NC15376
accident date: 03-10-1941
type: Sikorsky S-42B
registration: NC15376
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
