5 fatalities

Four-engine aircraft crashes into sea off Key Largo (42-72264)

Key Largo, United States of AmericaFlight

On March 19, 1945, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration 42-72264) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Key Largo, United States of America in flight. 5 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 while cruising near Key Largo and crashed into the ocean. The incident resulted in the deaths of all five crew members on board.

What happened

While operating a cruise flight in the vicinity of Key Largo, the four-engine aircraft experienced a loss of control. The plane subsequently descended and impacted the water surface near Rock Harbor. Search and recovery teams located the wreckage approximately one day after the accident. The debris was recovered from a depth of 19 feet, situated four miles offshore.

The crash resulted in fatal injuries to everyone on board. All five crew members were killed in the incident. The individuals identified as part of the flight deck and cabin crew included two captains, a technical sergeant, a major, and a corporal.