What happened
During a weather reconnaissance mission, an aircraft departed from the Guantánamo Bay Naval Air Station in Cuba to investigate the path of Hurricane Janet, which was then a Category 4 storm approaching Jamaica. While flying through the eye of the hurricane at an altitude of approximately 700 feet, the plane lost control and impacted the ocean surface.
The crash occurred roughly 480 km southwest of the Jamaican coastline. The aircraft was carrying eleven people, consisting of nine crew members and two journalists. Following the disappearance, search and rescue operations were initiated; however, these efforts were terminated after several days when no wreckage or survivors could be located.
Findings
- The incident occurred during the flight phase of penetrating the eye of a major hurricane.
- Loss of control during low-altitude flight within the storm's center led to the impact with the sea.