Disappearance of four-engine aircraft near Snag, Yukon

44 fatalities • Snag, Canada • Flight

A four-engine aircraft traveling from Anchorage to Great Falls disappeared over western Canada, leaving no trace of the aircraft or its 44 occupants.

What happened

A flight departing from Anchorage, Alaska, destined for Great Falls, Montana, vanished while traversing Canadian airspace. The aircraft, a four-engine plane, was carrying a total of 44 people, consisting of 36 passengers and a crew of eight.

At approximately 14:00 local time, the flight crew contacted ground controllers to provide a position report. During this communication, the crew indicated that the flight was proceeding normally. Roughly nine minutes following this update, the aircraft disappeared while flying over western Canada, near the United States border. The last known location was in the vicinity of Snag, Yukon.

Following the disappearance, an extensive search and rescue operation was launched involving significant resources. Despite the deployment of considerable assistance, no debris or wreckage from the plane was located. After several weeks of searching the region, all recovery operations were terminated. As of 2016, the aircraft and all 44 individuals on board remain missing.

Findings

Official investigations were unable to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the disappearance due to the total absence of physical evidence. However, investigators noted that icing conditions had been reported in the area during the timeframe of the accident.

Probable cause

The exact cause remains undetermined due to the lack of wreckage, though icing was present in the region.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1950-01-26 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident near Snag, Canada?

A four-engine aircraft traveling from Anchorage to Great Falls disappeared over western Canada, leaving no trace of the aircraft or its 44 occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 1950-01-26 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 44 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1950-01-26 involved a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, registration 42-72469, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Snag, Canada.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The exact cause remains undetermined due to the lack of wreckage, though icing was present in the region.

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