Accident Overview
On June 3, 1963, a Northwest Airlines Douglas DC-7C, registration N290, operating as Military Air Transport Service (MATS) charter Flight 293, crashed into the North Pacific Ocean approximately 116 nautical miles west-southwest of Annette Island, Alaska. The flight had departed McChord Air Force Base, Washington, at an unspecified time, bound for Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The aircraft carried 95 passengers and 6 crew members. The passenger manifest included military personnel, dependents, Department of Defense employees, and one Red Cross employee.
Events Leading to the Crash
The aircraft had been airborne for about 2 hours and 35 minutes when radio contact was lost. Prior to that time, the crew had reported no difficulties. The exact time of impact was estimated at approximately 1816 Greenwich Mean Time (G.m.t.) on June 3, 1963.
Search and Recovery
The wreckage was first sighted by a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft at 0322 Central Mean Time (C.m.t.) on June 4, 1963, at coordinates 54 degrees 21' north latitude and 134 degrees 39' west longitude. No survivors were observed. Approximately 1,500 pounds of floating aircraft wreckage was recovered.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) concluded that, due to a lack of evidence, the probable cause of the accident could not be determined.