Wreckage of Pan Am plane found in ocean 74 years after deadly crash

The wreckage of the Pan Am flight Clipper Endeavor, which crashed into the ocean off Puerto Rico in 1952, has been discovered 74 years later. The accident, which killed 52 people, prompted significant changes in aviation safety, including the introduction of mandatory pre-flight safety briefings for passengers.

Explorers located the DC-4 aircraft's fuselage and tail in 2,000 feet of water last month using an autonomous sonar drone. The discovery came after years of research initiated by Russ Matthews in 2019, who was inspired by a Pan Am flight luggage tag that washed ashore in Florida. His investigation involved digging through archives from Pan Am Airlines and the Coast Guard, as well as reports from the Civil Aeronautics Board.

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Although the Clipper was equipped with life rafts and personal floatation for all aboard, most of the passengers remained glued to their seats, more afraid of facing the reality of their situation than the momentary mirage of safety offered by remaining in the plane's cabin. It would prove a fatal mistake for 52 of them.

The Clipper Endeavor lost engine power shortly after takeoff, forcing a hard landing. Survivors reported that while the plane was equipped with life rafts and flotation devices for everyone, many passengers hesitated to leave the cabin, fearing the reality of their situation more than the perceived safety of staying inside. This hesitation proved fatal for 52 individuals as the plane sank within minutes.

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This accident changed aviation forever. It led to sweeping changes, including the introduction of the now mandatory safety briefing every time you fly.

"This accident changed aviation forever," said Josh Gates, host of Discovery Channel's "Expedition Unknown," in a social media video. He highlighted that the crash led to sweeping safety improvements, such as mandatory safety briefings and better flotation equipment. Aviation safety expert John Cox noted that the incident was a "steppingstone along the path to what we today enjoy as aviation safety."

The discovery of the wreck might also offer a glimmer of hope for families affected by other ocean crashes, such as Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which vanished 12 years ago with 269 people on board.

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This one became a catalyst, and it helped drive safety steps forward of better flotation equipment and the preflight briefings. So this is one steppingstone along the path to what we today enjoy as aviation safety. It was a rallying cry at the time.