What happened
The aircraft departed Morrison AFB in West Palm Beach on a scheduled flight bound for Dakar, with planned intermediate stops at Belém and Natal. During the leg from Natal to Dakar, while approaching Guinea, the engine number three experienced an oil leak. The propeller associated with this engine could not be feathered, resulting in a windmilling state that generated significant aerodynamic drag.
This increased drag caused fuel consumption rates to exceed expectations. Consequently, the airplane exhausted its fuel reserves before reaching its destination. The crew executed a ditching maneuver in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 40 kilometers west of Boffa. All individuals on board were successfully rescued by emergency services. The airframe subsequently sank and was declared a total loss.
Findings
The official investigation identified the root cause as an oil leak affecting engine number three. Because the propeller could not be feathered, it remained in a windmilling position, creating excessive drag. This condition led to higher-than-normal fuel burn rates, which ultimately resulted in the exhaustion of the aircraft's fuel supply.