What happened
A night training flight departed from Roosevelt Roads NAS in Ceiba, heading out over the Atlantic Ocean. The aircraft was carrying a total of 16 occupants, consisting of 14 crew members from the 404th Squadron and two scientists. During the cruise phase of the flight, the aircraft became uncontrollable and descended into the ocean. The crash occurred approximately 96 km north of Puerto Rico.
Following the disappearance, search and rescue operations were initiated to locate the wreckage and the missing personnel. However, after several days of searching, the mission was terminated because no debris or evidence regarding the 16 fatalities could be located. No trace of the plane or its passengers was ever recovered.
Findings
Official investigations into the disappearance were unable to reach a definitive conclusion. Because no wreckage or physical evidence from the aircraft was found, investigators could not establish the specific circumstances that led to the loss of control.