Story perspectives

Heritage Foundation, Discovery Channel Locate Pan Am Wreck

7/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

On June 2, 2026 the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation and Discovery Channel located Pan Am’s Clipper Endeavor wreck five miles off Puerto Rico, 2,000 feet deep.
The Douglas DC-4 crashed on April 11, 1952 after both right-side engines failed, killing 52 of the 69 aboard.
The search used the $10-$12 million autonomous vehicle Miss Millie from the survey ship Fugro Brasilis, captured 350,000 photos, and led the foundation to seek protection, a memorial, and a Discovery Channel episode in 2026.

History

Historical Context

Robert Ballard’s 1 September 1985 discovery of the Titanic, achieved with the US Navy-backed Argo/Jason system, proved deep-sea imaging could locate historic wrecks. The find spurred UNESCO’s 2001 Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage, shaping later projects such as the June 2 2026 Air/Sea Heritage Foundation and Discovery Channel mission to locate Pan Am’s Clipper Endeavor.

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Story summary

On June 2, 2026 the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation and Discovery Channel located Pan Am’s Clipper Endeavor wreck five miles off Puerto Rico, 2,000 feet deep.
The Douglas DC-4 crashed on April 11, 1952 after both right-side engines failed, killing 52 of the 69 aboard.
The search used the $10-$12 million autonomous vehicle Miss Millie from the survey ship Fugro Brasilis, captured 350,000 photos, and led the foundation to seek protection, a memorial, and a Discovery Channel episode in 2026.

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