What happened
While operating a flight from Mitiga Airfield to Hassens Airport in Athens, the crew of a C-47 experienced mechanical difficulties involving the engines. During the transit from Tripoli toward Greece, the aircraft encountered significant engine problems that prevented continued flight. Consequently, the crew decided to perform an emergency ditching approximately 145 km north of the Libyan coastline.
Following the impact with the water, the occupants remained in the aircraft for roughly 15 minutes. A USN SA-16 Albatross arrived at the scene and managed to facilitate the evacuation of all 18 individuals on board without any fatalities or injuries reported. Despite the successful rescue of the passengers and crew, the C-47 eventually sank into the sea and was lost.
Findings
Investigations into the incident concluded that the primary reason for the emergency landing was an engine failure during the enroute phase of the flight.