Aircraft disappearance in the Strait of Florida during positioning flight

2 fatalities • Marathon, United States of America • Flight

An aircraft traveling from Havana to Miami disappeared over the Strait of Florida while performing a maintenance repositioning flight.

What happened

During a ferry flight intended for maintenance purposes, an aircraft disappeared while transiting the Florida Keys. The crew was operating a positioning flight from Havana, Cuba, to Miami, United States, specifically to facilitate an adjustment to the propeller.

While the aircraft was in the cruise phase of its journey along the Keys, a distress signal was broadcast. Following this communication, the plane went missing in the waters of the Strait of Florida, situated between Marathon and Key West. Despite the initiation of search and rescue operations, no wreckage or debris from the aircraft was located. After several days of searching, authorities suspended the recovery efforts because there was no trace of the aircraft or the crew. The total number of fatalities remains unconfirmed as the site of the impact was never identified.

Findings

No official conclusion regarding the crash has been reached due to the lack of physical evidence from the wreckage. The disappearance occurred during the cruise phase of flight, but no specific mechanical or environmental factors were documented following the cessation of search efforts.

Probable cause

The cause of the disappearance remains undetermined because no wreckage or remains were recovered from the ocean.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1960-02-07 Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3) accident near Marathon, United States of America?

An aircraft traveling from Havana to Miami disappeared over the Strait of Florida while performing a maintenance repositioning flight.

Were there any fatalities in the 1960-02-07 Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1960-02-07 involved a Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3), registration 209, operated by Cuban Air Force - Fuerza Aérea del Ejército de Cuba (1952-1961), at Marathon, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the disappearance remains undetermined because no wreckage or remains were recovered from the ocean.

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