Madrid – Lajes – Saint George's – Havana

Shortly after takeoff from Saint George's-Kindley Field Airport, while climbing by night, the four engine christened 'Estrella de Oriente' stalled and crashed into the sea about 2,5 miles northeast of the airfield. A crew member and three passengers were rescued while 37 other occupants were killed.

Flight / Schedule

Madrid – Lajes – Saint George's – Havana

Aircraft

Douglas DC-4

Registration

CU-T397

MSN

10319

Year of Manufacture

1944

Date

December 6, 1952 at 04:45 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Crash Location

Saint George's All Bermuda

Region

North America • Bermuda

Narrative Report

On December 6, 1952 at 04:45 AM, Madrid – Lajes – Saint George's – Havana experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-4, operated by Cubana de Aviación, with the event recorded near Saint George's All Bermuda.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

41 people were known to be on board, 37 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 90.2%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 33, passenger fatalities: 30, other fatalities: 0.

Shortly after takeoff from Saint George's-Kindley Field Airport, while climbing by night, the four engine christened 'Estrella de Oriente' stalled and crashed into the sea about 2,5 miles northeast of the airfield. A crew member and three passengers were rescued while 37 other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration CU-T397, MSN 10319, year of manufacture 1944.

Fatalities

Total

37

Crew

7

Passengers

30

Other

0

Crash Summary

Shortly after takeoff from Saint George's-Kindley Field Airport, while climbing by night, the four engine christened 'Estrella de Oriente' stalled and crashed into the sea about 2,5 miles northeast of the airfield. A crew member and three passengers were rescued while 37 other occupants were killed.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

8

Passengers On Board

33

Estimated Survivors

4

Fatality Rate

90.2%

Known people on board: 41

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Madrid – Lajes – Saint George's – Havana

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Region / Country

North America • Bermuda

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Douglas DC-4

Registration

CU-T397

MSN

10319

Year of Manufacture

1944

Similar Plane Crashes

December 10, 1934 at 07:30 AM4 Fatalities

Cubana de Aviación

Ford 4

On approach to Santiago de Cuba, the pilots encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility. In rain falls, the three engine aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain located near Palma Soriano, north of Santiago. Both pilots and two passengers were killed. First accident involving Cubana, the national carrier of Cuba, since its creation in 1929. Crew: Torres Navarro, pilot, Emeterio Vorilla, copilot.

January 10, 1943 at 12:00 AM8 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina

Crashed into the sea off Bermuda in unknown circumstances while performing gunnery practice. All eight crew members were killed.

August 20, 1944 at 12:00 PM8 Fatalities

United States Navy - USN

Martin PBM Mariner

The crew was engaged in a training mission when the seaplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion some 20 miles north of Hamilton, Bermuda. All eight occupants were killed.

April 21, 1945 at 12:00 AM

American Export Airlines

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Crashed on takeoff at Hamilton-Kindley Field Airport following an engine failure. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

June 25, 1946 at 12:00 AM

Mexicana de Aviación

Douglas DC-4

After takeoff from Mexico City International Airport, the crew informed ATC that the aircraft caught fire and elected to return. The captain realized this was not possible and attempted an emergency landing in a field located few km from the airport. On touchdown, the aircraft slid for several yards and came to rest in flames. All 47 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

September 18, 1946 at 02:42 AM27 Fatalities

SABENA - Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne

Douglas DC-4

Following an uneventful flight from Shannon, the crew started the descent to Gander Airport by night and in poor weather conditions. Most probably in a way to establish a visual contact with the ground, the captain reduced his altitude and passed below the minimum safe altitude when the aircraft hit trees and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area located 35 km from the airport. A crew member and 16 passengers were rescued while 27 other occupants were killed.