1970s Argentia NAS Training Mission Crash in Bay of Placentia (151362)

Incident Overview A military aircraft departed Argentia NAS for a training mission over the Atlantic Ocean. During the flight, the crew encountered a series of generator failures that ultimately led to a crash into the Bay of Placentia, approximately 6.5 kilometers off shore. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 10 crew members on board were killed. ## Sequence of Events While cruising at altitude, the first generator failed. A few minutes later, a second generator also failed, prompting the crew to return to Argentia NAS for a safe landing. During the final approach in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the water. ## Probable Cause Official findings reported that a third generator failed during the final approach, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. The exact cause of the failure of all three generators could not be determined with certainty.