7 fatalities

Aircraft ditched after engine fire off Laoag (PI-C100)

Laoag, PhilippinesFlight

On January 11, 1947, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration PI-C100) operated by Far East Air Transport was involved in an aviation accident near Laoag, Philippines in flight. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An engine fire in engine number two forced the crew to ditch the aircraft, resulting in the accident. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 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

An aircraft ditched in the sea approximately 130 km from Laoag following an engine fire, resulting in seven fatalities and the rescue of 35 occupants.

What happened

During a flight segment located roughly 130 km off the coast of Laoag, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical failure when engine number two caught fire. In response to this emergency, the captain made the decision to ditch the aircraft into the water. The incident resulted in significant loss of life and injury among those on board. Specifically, seven passengers were killed during the event, while 35 other occupants were successfully rescued from the wreckage. The airframe was subsequently declared lost.

Findings

Official investigations identified the primary factor leading to the accident as an engine fire. This mechanical failure necessitated the emergency ditching procedure that ultimately caused the fatalities and the loss of the aircraft.

Probable cause

An engine fire in engine number two forced the crew to ditch the aircraft, resulting in the accident.