PanAm Flight PA292: Scheduled Flight from Fort-de-France to New York (N708PA)

Flight Details and Departure PanAm Flight PA292 was a scheduled service operating from Fort-de-France, Martinique, to New York, with en route stops at Saint John's, Antigua, Christiansted, St. Croix, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The aircraft, named 'Clipper Constitution,' departed Fort-de-France's runway 27 at 0704 local time. An Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed for the 30-minute leg to Antigua, with a planned cruising altitude of Flight Level 165 (FL165). The aircraft reached its cruising altitude at 0709 local time. ## Approach and Final Moments At 0715 local time, the crew established radio contact with the Antigua controller. The controller cleared the flight to the Coolidge NDB beacon at 2,500 feet and instructed the crew to report at the beacon outbound, either leaving 2,500 feet or with the field in sight. At approximately 0725 local time, the flight reported passing through FL40, noting that the field was not yet in sight. At the same time, the aircraft was observed flying along the coast of the island of Montserrat in rain and below the clouds, with landing gear down and flaps partially extended. Shortly after this observation, the aircraft struck a mountain at an elevation of 2,760 feet above sea level, which was 242 feet below the summit. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and all 30 occupants were killed. ## Weather Conditions and Probable Cause Weather conditions at the time of the accident were poor, characterized by thunderstorm activity, towering cumulus clouds, and heavy rain. The official probable cause of the accident was determined to be the result of the aircraft descending below a safe height when its position had not been accurately established.