Pan Am Flight 845/26

Pan Am Flight 845/26

A Pan Am Stratocruiser similar to the one involved in the accident.
Accident
Date	March 26, 1955 (1955-03-26)
Summary	Engine separation, water ditching
Site	Pacific Ocean 35 miles (56 km) West of Oregon, United States 43°48′15″N 125°12′40″W
Aircraft
Aircraft type	Boeing 377 Stratocruiser 10-26
Aircraft name	Clipper United States
Operator	Pan American World Airways
Registration	N1032V
Flight origin	Seattle-Tacoma, Washington
1st stopover	Portland International Airport
2nd stopover	Honolulu International Airport
Destination	Sydney, Australia
Passengers	15
Crew	8
Fatalities	4
Injuries	unknown
Survivors	19

Pan Am Flight 845/26 was a four-engined Boeing 377 Stratocruiser named Clipper United States and registered as N1032V. It departed Portland International Airport in Oregon on a flight to Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii on March 26, 1955. The aircraft was en route and about 35 miles (56 km) off the Oregon coast when at 11:12 Pacific Standard Time the No. 3 engine and propeller tore loose from the wing causing a loss of control. The aircraft was ditched.

The aircraft floated for twenty minutes before sinking in 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) of water. Approximately two hours after the aircraft ditched, the United States Navy attack transport USS Bayfield (APA-33) arrived on the scene and rescued the 19 survivors. Four people died.

The probable cause was failure of No. 3 propeller which caused the engine to detach and the aircraft to become uncontrollable.

The experience provided lessons that helped prevent any casualties in another ditching the following year, when Pan Am Flight 6 sank between Honolulu and San Francisco.

References

• ICAO Accident Digest Circular 50-AN/45 (92-96)
• "Hobbs v. Franklin life insurance" The Federal Reporter 1958-05-22

External links

• CAB Accident Investigation Report File No. 1-0039 U.S. Department of Transportation Archived Report - Civil Aeronautics Board
• Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network