Overview
- Last month a Discovery Channel–linked team found the Douglas DC‑4 known as the Clipper Endeavor about 2,000 feet underwater off San Juan, Puerto Rico, and identified features including the Pan Am logo, landing gear and an engine.
- The April 11, 1952 crash killed 52 people and left 17 survivors after the pilots lost both right‑side engines minutes after takeoff, a loss that later helped push for mandatory preflight safety briefings.
- Discovery and partners say the search used an autonomous underwater drone plus sonar and high‑definition imaging during a short survey window, and the finding will be shown on an Expedition Unknown episode planned for the fall.
- Officials and family members have been notified and the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation says it is working with Puerto Rico’s government on site protections and a memorial, while no public plans have been announced for recovery or excavation.
- Reports differ slightly on the total people aboard (sources give either 69 or 69 combined passenger and crew counts or 69 versus 69 variations) and some operational and legal next steps remain unclear as coverage focuses on identification rather than disturbance of the site.