Investigation Summary
Flight 512 was a multi-leg charter flight originating in Guam. After an uneventful first leg to Wake Island, the aircraft departed for Honolulu at 06:58 GMT. The flight proceeded normally for the first 90 minutes, providing a routine position report at 08:29 GMT while cruising at 15,000 feet between cloud layers. When the flight failed to make its 09:29 report, search and rescue operations were initiated. An incoming Pan American flight reported seeing a green flare in the area at 08:41, which investigators believe may have been the approximate time of the crash. The USNS Barrett eventually discovered a debris field containing an inflated life raft, broken seats, and 14 bodies. The condition of the recovered remains and debris indicated a high-speed impact with the water. While a nearby aircraft reported heavy turbulence and thunderstorms 30 miles north of the flight path, there was no definitive evidence that Flight 512 encountered these conditions or suffered a mechanical failure.
Final Conclusions
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) officially stated they were unable to determine the probable cause of the accident. The lack of recovered wreckage from the seabed, which was approximately two miles deep at the crash site, prevented any analysis of structural or mechanical integrity. Investigators ruled out sabotage and confirmed the aircraft was properly loaded and maintained. The high impact force suggested a sudden loss of control, but whether this was due to extreme turbulence, a sudden structural failure, or pilot spatial disorientation remains unknown.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
W. L. Word
First Officer
H. A. Hudson
Systems & Failure Modes
Fuel System
Fuel was stored in the wings; investigators verified proper loading sequences were followed in Guam to avoid airframe stress.
Emergency Equipment
The aircraft carried six life jackets and five life rafts; none of the recovered jackets had been donned.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was named 'The Royal Hawaiian'.
- 02The ocean depth at the crash site was approximately two miles (10,560 feet).
- 03All five life rafts carried on the aircraft were eventually recovered, but only one was inflated.
- 04Examination of recovered debris showed no evidence of in-flight fire.
- 05The aircraft was within its allowable gross takeoff weight and center of gravity limits.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Weather Briefing Procedures
The investigation noted that while the crew was briefed on expected weather, a nearby aircraft encountered severe turbulence not mentioned in the briefing. This highlighted the need for improved real-time weather reporting for trans-Pacific flights.