Wreckage of Pan Am plane that shaped aviation safety found 74 years on
Summary
The wreckage of the Pan Am Clipper Endeavor plane, which crashed 74 years ago off the coast of Puerto Rico, has been found 2,000 feet underwater using a sonar drone. The crash led to important changes in aviation safety, such as mandatory pre-flight safety briefings and better flotation equipment on planes.Key Facts
- The Clipper Endeavor crashed on April 11, 1952, after multiple engines failed shortly after takeoff.
- Of the 69 people on board, only 17 survived because passengers struggled to find life vests and rafts.
- The crash prompted new airline safety rules, including mandatory safety briefings before every commercial flight.
- The wreckage was discovered using a sonar-equipped autonomous drone in June 2024.
- The search was led by the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation with help from the Discovery Channel’s Expedition Unknown show.
- Researchers used old maps, air force pilot reports, weather data, and Civil Aeronautics Board records to locate the crash site.
- The plane wreckage was found broken into two parts with the Pan Am logo still visible on the fuselage.
- The discovery is seen as a reminder of the crash’s impact on improving passenger safety on airplanes.
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