New York – Gander – Keflavik – Shannon – London

On October 3, 1942 at 07:05 PM, New York – Gander – Keflavik – Shannon – London experienced a crash involving Vought-Sikorsky VS-44, operated by American Export Airlines, with the event recorded near Gander Newfoundland & Labrador.

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

37 people were known to be on board, 11 fatalities were recorded, 26 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 29.7%.

Crew on board: 11, crew fatalities: 5, passengers on board: 26, passenger fatalities: 6, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. Shortly after take off from Botwood Bay, some 50 km northwest of Gander, while climbing, the seaplane lost height and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. Eleven occupants, among them five crew members, were killed. 26 other occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration NC41880, MSN 4401, year of manufacture 18.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 48.9417°, -54.6012°.