Disappearance of Military Air Transport Service Flight 739/14

107 fatalities • Philippines Sea, World • Flight

A Lockheed 1049H aircraft disappeared over the Pacific Ocean on March 15, 1962, while traveling from Guam to the Philippines, resulting in the loss of all 107 people on board.

What happened

On March 15, 1962, a Lockheed 1049H operated by Flying Tiger Line Inc. as Military Air Transport Service Flight 739/14 vanished during a flight from Agana Naval Air Station, Guam, to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippine Islands. The aircraft, registered as N6921C, sent its final position report at 14:22 GMT. After the plane failed to reach its destination at the scheduled arrival time of 19:16 GMT, an extensive search operation was launched.

The flight was officially categorized as missing at 22:27 GMT, coinciding with the period when the aircraft was expected to have exhausted its fuel supply. During the search, personnel on a surface vessel reported observing what looked like a midair explosion at approximately 15:30 GMT near the coordinates where the pilot had intended to provide his next update. Despite these observations, no identifiable wreckage or debris from the plane was recovered.

The accident resulted in 107 fatalities, comprising 96 military passengers and 11 crew members, all of whom are presumed dead.

Findings

Official investigators were unable to establish a definitive reason for the disappearance based on the available evidence.

Probable cause

The official investigation could not determine the cause of the accident due to a lack of recoverable evidence.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1962-03-16 Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation accident near Philippines Sea, World?

A Lockheed 1049H aircraft disappeared over the Pacific Ocean on March 15, 1962, while traveling from Guam to the Philippines, resulting in the loss of all 107 people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1962-03-16 Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 107 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1962-03-16 involved a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation, registration N6921C, operated by Flying Tiger Line, at Philippines Sea, World.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The official investigation could not determine the cause of the accident due to a lack of recoverable evidence.

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