What happened
On 29 June 1964, two US Air Force aircraft were conducting a joint mission near Kindley Air Base, Bermuda. The mission combined training for pararescue personnel—specifically the deployment of flotation collars for the NASA Gemini program—with aerial photography to document the rescue procedures. The flight involved a Douglas HC-54 (serial number 42-72590) and a Boeing HC-97 (serial number 52-2773).
The aircraft departed at 11:05 and 11:10 local time, respectively. Weather conditions at the drop site included scattered clouds at 2,000 and 2,500 feet, with visibility of 9 miles. Due to the cloud ceiling, the crews elected to perform the mission at an altitude of 1,700 feet. The flight plan involved flying right-hand patterns to ensure the sun was positioned behind the cameras to avoid capturing land surfaces in the footage.
During the operation, the aircraft transitioned positions. After several passes where the Douglas HC-54 deployed personnel, the formation shifted, placing the Douglas HC-54 ahead and below to the left of the Boeing HC-97. Following a dry run and subsequent maneuvers, two pararescuemen exited the Boeing HC-97. Shortly thereafter, the Douglas HC-54 banked into the path of the Boeing HC-97, striking its wing or midsection. The impact sheared off the wing and tail section of the Boeing HC-97, causing both aircraft to crash into the ocean. Despite immediate search efforts by nearby boats, there were 0 survivors.
Findings
While investigators could not definitively determine the primary cause, they concluded that the accident was likely caused by the incapacitation of the pilot of the Douglas HC-54. Post-accident medical examinations indicated the presence of cardiovascular issues that may have resulted in acute chest pain during the flight.