Incident Overview
On the evening of December 23, a pilot reported ditching a Douglas DC-4 in the Pacific Ocean following an uncontrollable fire in the number 3 engine. The fire initiated at the conclusion of a training flight. The ditching occurred under dark night conditions with 10-foot swells having a period of approximately 10 seconds. The aircraft reportedly remained afloat for about 10 minutes before sinking.
Flight Path and Communications
Although the flight penetrated the Pacific coastal ADIZ on at least two occasions, no radar evidence corroborated these penetrations. Additionally, no receipt of the pilot's mayday call on 121.5 MHz was recorded.
Search and Wreckage
No wreckage has been observed along the Washington shoreline since the event. The pilots reportedly drifted northeast in a raft, covering a distance of at least 14 nautical miles over 16 hours.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions at 1750 hours PST within 20 miles of the ditching location were reported as a measured 900-foot overcast ceiling, 1.5 miles visibility in light rain and fog. Surface winds prevailed from the southeast.
Investigation Findings
The board's findings surrounding this event remain undetermined. The official findings for the fire occurrence list the engine assembly and the reason for occurrence as undetermined.