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Four-Engine Aircraft Ditched in Pacific Ocean After Multiple Engine Failures (N229A)

San Francisco, United States of AmericaFlight

On March 27, 1953, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration N229A) operated by California Eastern Airways was involved in an aviation accident near San Francisco, United States of America in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of power and manifold pressure issue on engine four en three in flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine cargo aircraft ditched in the Pacific Ocean off San Francisco after losing two engines in flight. All four occupants were rescued before the aircraft sank.

Incident Overview On March 26, a four-engine aircraft departed Travis Air Force Base at 2220 local time on a cargo flight to Honolulu. The aircraft carried one passenger and a crew of three, for a total of four occupants on board. ## Engine Failures During cruise at 8,000 feet altitude at 0155 local time on March 27, engine number four experienced a loss of hydraulic pressure. The engine was shut down and its propeller was feathered. The captain decided to divert to San Francisco for a precautionary landing. Approximately one hour later, the manifold pressure of engine number three dropped. This engine was also shut down and its propeller feathered. ## Ditching and Rescue Unable to maintain a safe altitude with two engines inoperative, the crew decided to ditch the aircraft into the Pacific Ocean a few miles off San Francisco. All four occupants were rescued. The aircraft sank five hours after the ditching.

Probable cause

Loss of power and manifold pressure issue on engine four en three in flight.
Engine failure

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