1955 Pacific Ocean Ditching of Trip 7413-23 (N90433)

Flight Details and Departure from Honolulu Trip 7413-23 originated at Travis Air Force Base, California, with a destination of Tokyo, Japan, and scheduled refueling stops at Honolulu and Wake Island. The aircraft arrived at Honolulu on September 23, 1955, without incident. The cargo load of 15,33 pounds was properly secured and distributed relative to the center of gravity. No maintenance work was required at Honolulu, and the aircraft was refueled to 3,016 gallons for the leg to Wake Island. There was no offloading or loading of cargo, and the gross weight at takeoff from Honolulu was 72,993 pounds. The flight crew remained unchanged from the previous leg. ## Emergency and Ditching The flight departed Honolulu at 0013 on September 24, 1955, on an IFR flight plan to Wake Airport via Green 9, Rhumbline Track, at 8,000 feet. Routine hourly position, fuel, and weather reports were made to Honolulu ARTC, and control was transferred to Wake Island ARTC at 0630. At 0633, an emergency was declared to Wake ARTC, advising of loss of power in three engines and inability to return to Honolulu. The aircraft was ditched during darkness at approximately 0641 at position 20 degrees 20' N. latitude, 175 degrees 45' W. longitude. Neither Wake nor Honolulu radio was able to maintain contact, and Air Search and Rescue was alerted. ## Survival and Recovery At approximately 1318 on September 25, the SS Steel Advocate sighted and picked up Captain A. J. Machado and Copilot R. C. Hightower, who were floating in life jackets. The survivors reported that Navigator D. Ventresca went down with the aircraft, while First Officer W. F. Gin and Navigator R. C. Olsen died in the water. ## Weather Conditions The weather briefing at Honolulu indicated a low pressure trough to be crossed at about 165 degrees W. longitude, with no fronts to be crossed. The forecast indicated scattered cumulus clouds with tops mostly 12,000 feet and lower. Review of the weather indicated no rain showers at the time and place of ditching. Sea swells in the ditching area were probably 4 to 6 feet high, with the sea surface intermittently in deep shadow and faintly illuminated by the moon, which was in its first quarter.