Faleolo - Pago Pago

On January 13, 1970 at 02:54 AM, Faleolo - Pago Pago experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Polynesian Airline of Samoa - Polynesian Airlines, with the event recorded near Faleolo All Samoa Islands.

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

32 people were known to be on board, 32 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 29, passenger fatalities: 29, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is weather. One minute after takeoff from Faleolo Airport, while climbing, the airplane entered a low pressure area with thunderstorm activity, rain falls, turbulences and windshear. The airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few hundred yards offshore. It exploded while contacting the water surface and all 32 occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration 5W-FAC, MSN 16964/34224, year of manufacture 1945.