Coast Guard Rescue of Pan Am Stratocruiser
Documentary (1957)
Starring:
George F.Johnston (Writter)
U.S. Coast Guard Film (Production)
On October 16, 1956, a Pan Am Clipper aircraft (Flight 6) en route from Honolulu, Hawaii to San Francisco was forced to ditch in the Pacific. Fortunately for the passengers, the U.S. Coast Guard vessel Ponchartrain was close at hand [See discussion tab (1)]. This incredible film shows the efforts of the airplane pilot and co-pilot, and Coast Guard captain and crewmen, to save the passengers after a ditching at sea.
Boeing 377-10-29 Stratocruiser
Registration N90943, c/n 15959. Delivered new to AOA-American Overseas Airlines in August 1949, named Flagship Holland, renamed Europe in September 1950. Sold to PAA-Pan American World Airways, named Clipper Sovereign Of The Sky. Written off in October 1956 after a crash in Pacific ocean.
N90943 in great difficulty over the ocean with 2 engines out of service. [See discussion tab (2)]
Ditching early in the morning fortunately in a quite calm ocean.
The impact was violent, causing the fuselage to dislocate into 3 parts.
The rescue is underway in a few minutes thanks to the crew of the Pontchartrain. All people aboard had survived.
The aircraft is almost submerged in the sea.
Definitively sinking at DMS 30° 2′ 0″ N, 140° 9′ 0″ W.
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