What happened
During an active anti-submarine warfare exercise, an aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control while operating over the Pacific Ocean. The incident occurred approximately 187 miles from the coast of San Diego. Following the loss of controllability, the plane impacted the ocean surface, leading to the total destruction of the airframe.
There were 11 fatalities recorded in the accident, with no survivors among the crew or occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the primary factor was a loss of control during the flight phase. This instability was triggered by the disengagement of the autopilot system, though the specific reason why the automation disconnected remains undetermined.