1962-05-27: Douglas C-133 Cargomaster (57-1611) — United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) — Atlantic Ocean, World

10 fatalitiesAtlantic Ocean, WorldFlight

An aircraft disappeared from radar and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean approximately 32 minutes after departing Dover Air Force Base.

What happened

Approximately 32 minutes following its takeoff from Dover AFB, an aircraft vanished from radar tracking while performing an eastbound cruise at 17,000 feet. The flight path took the plane over the Maryland coast before it disappeared into the Atlantic Ocean.

Search efforts later located a nose wheel and an unoccupied life raft drifting in the ocean, roughly 53 miles east of Ocean City, Maryland. Despite these findings, there was no trace of the ten fatalities on board. The aircraft was transporting a heavy load of approximately 25 tons, including various bags, boxes, and clothing items. Notably, investigators found no additional wreckage from the plane at the site.

Findings

Official investigations concluded that an exact reason for the accident could not be established due to a lack of evidence following the disappearance.

Probable cause

The precise cause of the crash remains undetermined due to insufficient physical evidence.