The wreckage of a Pan American Airways aircraft that disappeared into the Atlantic Ocean more than seven decades ago has finally been located, marking the end of a decades-long search for one of aviation's historic crash sites.

The Clipper Endeavor, a Douglas DC-4 aircraft, was headed for New York after departing Puerto Rico on April 11, 1952, when it suffered multiple engine failures shortly after takeoff. The crew successfully ditched the aircraft in the Atlantic Ocean, and everyone on board initially survived the impact.

However, the aircraft quickly sank, trapping many passengers beneath the water. Of the 69 passengers and crew members aboard, only 17 survived the disaster.

The wreckage has now been found approximately 2,000 feet beneath the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Puerto Rico during an expedition led by the Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, in partnership with the Discovery Channel's Expedition Unknown and several other organizations.

Using an autonomous underwater drone, the search team located the long-lost aircraft after narrowing the search area with the help of historical records uncovered from a public hearing held in Puerto Rico following the crash.

Among the records were a hand-drawn map created by U.S. Air Force pilots who witnessed the accident, along with historical weather data. The information enabled researchers to concentrate their search within a 10-square-nautical-mile area.

The underwater drone first detected the aircraft's fuselage and tail section before revealing the remainder of the plane, which had split into two pieces on the seabed. The discovery was made on June 2, 2026.

A subsequent photographic survey confirmed the aircraft's identity after capturing clear images of the iconic Pan Am logo and the name "Clipper Endeavor" on the fuselage.

Air/Sea Heritage Foundation President Russ Matthews described the discovery as both exciting and deeply moving.

"We are all stunned and elated by this discovery, yet also humbled to remember what happened in that place so long ago," Matthews said.

Expedition Unknown host Josh Gates, who participated in documenting the mission, said witnessing the discovery unfold was an unforgettable experience.

"To have a front-row seat to an expedition like this as it's unfolding is tremendous, and so I feel really lucky that we were able to be a part of it," Gates said.

The Clipper Endeavor tragedy played a pivotal role in improving commercial aviation safety. The accident prompted significant changes to emergency procedures, including mandatory pre-flight safety briefings that instruct passengers on the location and use of emergency exits and life vests.

Reflecting on the crash's lasting impact, Gates said the lessons learned from the disaster continue to protect millions of air travelers today.

"Every time you step onboard an airplane today, you are safer because of what happened to Clipper Endeavor and her passengers three-quarters of a century ago," he said.