Lost Pan Am Plane Found After 74 Years

The wreckage of a Pan Am flight that crashed in 1952, resulting in 52 fatalities, has recently been located. Searchers discovered the DC-4 aircraft, known as the Clipper Endeavor, submerged nearly 2,000 feet below the ocean's surface off the coast of Puerto Rico. The plane experienced engine failure shortly after departing San Juan. Survivors recounted difficulties locating life vests and deploying rafts, with the plane sinking within minutes. This tragedy was instrumental in advancing aviation safety, directly leading to mandatory passenger safety briefings and enhanced flotation equipment on all commercial flights.

Led by Russ Matthews of the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, the search was aided by Deep Sea Vision's advanced autonomous underwater vehicle. Initial interest sparked in 2019 from a washed-up luggage tag, followed by years of archival research. The discovery of historical hearing records and a witness-created map from Puerto Rico proved pivotal. A previous attempt to locate the wreckage was hindered by bad weather, but the recent deployment of a military-grade drone during favorable conditions and with the right team and equipment led to the successful find within a targeted 10-square-nautical-mile area.