7 fatalities

Four-Engine Aircraft Training Mission Crash in the Atlantic Ocean (152724)

Lajes, PortugalFlight

On April 26, 1978, a Lockheed P-3 Orion (registration 152724) operated by United States Navy - USN was involved in an aviation accident near Lajes, Portugal in flight. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident remains unknown. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 32 km northeast of Lajes during a training mission. All seven crew members were killed, and the exact cause remains unknown.

Incident Overview A four-engine aircraft was conducting a training mission departing from Lajes when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean under unknown circumstances. The crash site was located approximately 32 kilometers northeast of Lajes. Only a small amount of debris was found floating on the water's surface. All seven crew members on board were killed in the accident. ## Crew Members The seven crew members who perished were: Lt David G. Schwerstein, Lt Michael E. Hayes, Ltjg Michael Dziubak, Ad1 Robert L. Hasselbacher, Ad1 Randolph L. Affield, Ao3 Robert J. Elmore, and At3 Weslie Donald Putnam. ## Investigation Findings The official investigation concluded that the exact cause of the accident remains unknown.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the accident remains unknown.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Apr 1978 Lockheed P-3 Orion accident near Lajes, Portugal?

A four-engine aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 32 km northeast of Lajes during a training mission. All seven crew members were killed, and the exact cause remains unknown.

Were there any fatalities in the 26 Apr 1978 Lockheed P-3 Orion accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Apr 1978 involved a Lockheed P-3 Orion, registration 152724, operated by United States Navy - USN, at Lajes, Portugal.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The exact cause of the accident remains unknown.