Fuel exhaustion Accident Boeing 314A NC18612, Tuesday 14 October 1947

Date:	Tuesday 14 October 1947
Time:	10:04
Type:	Boeing 314A
Owner/operator:	American International Airways
Registration:	NC18612
MSN:	2086
Year of manufacture:	1941
Total airframe hrs:	12000 hours
Engine model:	Wright R-2600
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 69
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	1390 km NE off Gander, NL, Canada - Atlantic Ocean
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi
Departure airport:	Foynes
Destination airport:	Gander Airport, NL (YQX/CYQX)
Investigating agency:	CAB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The crew were afraid of fuel exhaustion because of strong headwind over the Atlantic and decided to land their flying boat next to a US Coast Guard weather ship. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair after colliding with the ship. The aircraft was sunk by gunfire since it constituted a hazard for surface vessels.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "Improper flight planning under conditions of an excess gross weight, resulting in a landing at sea."

Accident investigation: