1955 — Jan 17, USN C121 Super Constellation 2 engines out crash off Stephenville NL CA–13

–13 Aviation Safety Network. USN C121 Super Constellation crash at sea off Stephenville NFLD.
–13 UP. “Navy Plane Dives in Stormy Atlantic.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 1-17-1955, p.1.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network Flight Safety Foundation, Database:
“Date: Monday 17 January 1955
“Time: 05:15
“Type: Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation
“Operator: United States Navy
“Registration: 131639
“MSN: 4140
“First flight: 1953
“Crew: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
“Passengers: Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7
“Total: Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13
….
“Location: 112 km (70 mls) SW off Stephenville, NL, Canada (Atlantic Ocean)
“Phase: En route (ENR)
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL…Canada
“Destination airport: Patuxent River NAS, MD…United States of America
“Narrative:

“Super Constellation 131639 departed Stephenville on a flight to Patuxent River NAS (NHK). While over Prince Edward Island the crew reported that two engines were out. A Boeing B-29 Superfortress escorted the plane back towards Stephenville, but lost visual contact with the plane. It crashed into the sea.”
Newspaper

Jan 17, UP: “Stephenville, Nfld. (UP) – A United States Navy Super Constellation crashed in the storm Atlantic today and all 13 men aboard are feared to have lost their lives. A body was found hanging on the fuselage of the plane. Coast Guardsmen said that in its pockets were papers bearing the name of John A. Coram, Columbus, Ohio. Coast Guardsmen said two suits, two hats and two topcoats were in the plane, indicating at least one other man might have been aboard.

“The four-engine transport, flying to the Patuxent Naval Air Base in Maryland, went down 70 miles southwest of Stephenville, which is on the southwest coast of Newfoundland.

“The plane reported two engines out over Prince Edward Island and attempted to return to the Ernest Harmon U.S. Air Base here when an escorting B29 lost contract with it. The plane carried seven passengers and six crewmen, but the Air Force withheld their names pending notification of next-of-kin.

“Messages received by the U.S. Coast Guard in New York said the escorting aircraft sighted five life rafts and life jackets as well as plane debris, but there were no signs of survivors.

“The Coast Guard cutter Yakutat and a U.S. Navy ship, USS Hoist, rushed to the scene from Argentia, Nfld., to join the air search being carried out by two planes and a helicopter from Harmon.

“The Coast Guard said the B29 was rushed to the crippled transport after the pilot reported that first one, then a second engine had gone dead. The escort aircraft rendezvoused with the Super Constellation at 5:04 a.m. and the stricken plane tried to return to Harmon. Twelve minutes later, the doomed aircraft shut off its lights and electrical equipment to jettison fuel. The the B29 lost visual contact with it. A few minutes later, radar contact was lost.

“The Super Constellation – attached to Transport Squadron No. 1 at Patuxent – was flying to Maryland via the inland route to escape bad weather over the Atlantic farther down the coast.” (UP. “Navy Plane Dives in Stormy Atlantic.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 1-17-1955, p.1.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network Flight Safety Foundation, Database. US Navy Lockheed C-121J Super Constellation crash at sea off Stephenville NFLD, Canada, 1-17-1955. Accessed 7-3-2023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19550117-0

United Press. “Navy Plane Dives in Stormy Atlantic.” Logansport Pharos Tribune, IN. 1-17-1955, p.1. Accessed 7-3-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/logansport-pharos-tribune-jan-17-1955-p-1/