15 fatalities

Disappearance of Aircraft En Route from Dakar to UK Near Canary Islands (44-61775)

Atlantic Ocean, WorldFlight

On January 26, 1949, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress (registration 44-61775) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Atlantic Ocean, World in flight. 15 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-24Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft vanished during approach to the Canary Islands while flying from Dakar to the UK, resulting in the loss of all 15 crew members with no wreckage recovered.

What happened

The incident involved an aircraft operating a scheduled service from Dakar to the United Kingdom. While in the process of approaching the Canary Islands, the flight disappeared. The crash occurred approximately 35 miles south of the Spanish archipelago under circumstances that remain unknown.

Search efforts failed to locate any debris or traces of the aircraft. Consequently, there were no survivors among the 15 crew members on board. The total loss of the airframe and personnel marks this event as a complete disappearance with no physical evidence recovered at the scene.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Jan 1949 Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident near Atlantic Ocean, World?

An aircraft vanished during approach to the Canary Islands while flying from Dakar to the UK, resulting in the loss of all 15 crew members with no wreckage recovered.

Were there any fatalities in the 26 Jan 1949 Boeing B-29 Superfortress accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 15 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Jan 1949 involved a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, registration 44-61775, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Atlantic Ocean, World.