Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident at Sargasso Sea, World, 3 Jul 1947 (45-0519)
On July 3, 1947, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration 45-0519) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Sargasso Sea, World in flight. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: After considering all available facts and existing weather conditions, it is the opinion of the Accident Investigating Board at Morrison Field, Florida, that the aircraft encountered violent turbulence and the pilot lost control of the aircraft. 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.
Probable cause
After considering all available facts and existing weather conditions, it is the opinion of the Accident Investigating Board at Morrison Field, Florida, that the aircraft encountered violent turbulence and the pilot lost control of the aircraft. It is possible that structural failure was a factor prior to contact with the ocean. No evidence of fire exists. There was no evidence of a ditching attempt and the debris found indicates that the crew compartment was torn apart on contact with the ocean. The last plotted position of the aircraft and the corresponding position of the frontal zone substantiates the weather assumption. Contributing factors to this accident were possible navigational error allowing aircraft to drift north of course to frontal zone and pilot error in that no apparent effort was made to circumnavigate the frontal weather.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The four engine aircraft departed Hamilton, Bermuda, bound for Morrison AFB located in Palm Beach, Florida. While cruising about 294 miles northeast of the Florida coast, the crew encountered severe weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulence. The aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea. Some debris were found but no trace of the six occupants who were considered as deceased.
Probable cause (official findings): After considering all available facts and existing weather conditions, it is the opinion of the Accident Investigating Board at Morrison Field, Florida, that the aircraft encountered violent turbulence and the pilot lost control of the aircraft. It is possible that structural failure was a factor prior to contact with the ocean. No evidence of fire exists. There was no evidence of a ditching attempt and the debris found indicates that the crew compartment was torn apart on contact with the ocean. The last plotted position of the aircraft and the corresponding position of the frontal zone substantiates the weather assumption. Contributing factors to this accident were possible navigational error allowing aircraft to drift north of course to frontal zone and pilot error in that no apparent effort was made to circumnavigate the frontal weather.