Wreckage of plane crashed 74 years ago located on ocean floor
An aviation search team, working with the Discovery Channel, has found the wreckage of a Pan Am aircraft that crashed near Puerto Rico 74 years ago. The discovery has brought fresh attention to one of the deadliest air disasters of its time.
The aircraft, called the “Clipper Endeavor,” took off from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on April 11, 1952. It was flying to New York with 64 passengers and five crew members on board.
Soon after takeoff, both engines on the right side of the aircraft failed. The pilots lost control, and the plane crashed into the ocean only a few minutes later.
Although the aircraft carried life rafts and personal flotation devices, many passengers remained in their seats. According to the Pan Am Historical Foundation, 52 people lost their lives while only 17 survived.
The general area of the crash had been known for many years. However, the exact location of the aircraft on the seabed remained a mystery until now.
Last month, the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation joined hands with Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown” and Deep Sea Vision to search for the wreckage. The team used an autonomous underwater drone to scan the ocean floor about 2,000 feet below the surface.
The search ended successfully on the evening of June 2 when the Douglas DC-4 aircraft was found. The wreckage was discovered in two large sections resting on the seabed.
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Images captured during the mission clearly showed the famous Pan American winged logo. The aircraft’s name, “Clipper Endeavor,” was also still visible after more than seven decades underwater.
The Air/Sea Heritage Foundation is now working with the Puerto Rico government to protect the crash site. It is also calling for a memorial to honour the victims who lost their lives in the tragedy.
According to the announcement, families of those affected by the crash have been informed about the discovery. The only two known living survivors of the accident have also been contacted.
Discovery Channel plans to feature the historic discovery in a future episode of “Expedition Unknown.” The programme is expected to reveal more details about the search and the remarkable underwater mission.
Finding the wreckage after 74 years closes an important chapter in aviation history. The discovery may also bring comfort to families who have waited decades for answers while helping preserve the memory of those who lost their lives.
