Narrative:A Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar transport plane was destroyed when it crashed into a mountainside near San Juan, Puerto Rico. All eight on board were killed.
The airplane departed Roosevelt Roads NAS (NRR) on a routine training mission to Homestead AFB, FL (HST).
After developing radio trouble, the crew decided to return to the air base. The airplane failed to return. The wreckage was found the next morning at an elevation of 3,400 feet on the side of Pico del Este in the El Yunque mountain range.
Classification:
Sources:
» The Miami News No. 181 (Vol. 73) from December 16, 1968
» The Palm Beach Post No. 220 (Vol. 60) from December 16, 1968, p. 20"
» The Daily News of the Virgin Islands No. 109248 (Vol. 39) from December 17, 1968, p. 2
Photos
accident date:
14-12-1968type: Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar
registration: 51-2667
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Roosevelt Roads-Roosevelt NAS to Homestead AFB, FL as the crow flies is 1711 km (1070 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.