4 fatalities

Night Takeoff Accident: Four-Engine Aircraft Crashes Offshore (42-107438)

Marathon, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On November 9, 1944, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration 42-107438) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Marathon, United States of America during takeoff. 4 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft lost control shortly after a night departure from runway 07, crashing into the sea three miles offshore and killing all four crew members.

What happened

The incident occurred during a night takeoff from runway 07. Shortly after leaving the ground, the aircraft entered its initial climb phase. During this early stage of flight, the four-engine aircraft lost control. The unstable trajectory led to a crash into the sea approximately three miles off the coast. All four members of the crew were killed in the accident.

Findings

The source material does not provide specific details regarding the contributing factors or the final conclusions of the investigation. It confirms only that the loss of control occurred during the initial climb following departure.