Argosy Air Lines

Douglas DC-3

The airplane departed Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport runway 09L at 1129LT on a positioning flight to Havana, Cuba, to pick up 21 US citizens. While flying over the Florida Strait at an altitude of 6,000 feet in relative good weather conditions, the crew encountered difficulties to maintain radio contact with Cuban ATC. Thus, messages were relayed by the crew of another airplane flying higher. Eight minutes after the radio contact was properly established, the airplane disappeared from radar screens and crashed into the sea. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended three days later, on Sep 24, as no trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was found.

Convair CV-440 Metropolitan

En route from Columbus to Fort Lauderdale, the crew encountered technical problems with both engines. Tower asked the pilot if he wanted to return to the airport due to slow climb but there was no reply. The crew attempted to ditch the aircraft in the Ohio River. The airplane slid on water and came to rest off Shippingport. All three occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was written off.