Based on a widely circulated story, the plane often cited in connection with a purported disappearance in 1955 is Pan Am Flight 914. However, according to information from sources like Wikipedia, this specific event is considered a hoax.
The Pan Am Flight 914 Story
The narrative surrounding Pan Am Flight 914 involves a Douglas DC-4 aircraft. The hoax suggests this plane took off in 1955 and mysteriously vanished, only to reappear and land safely again approximately three decades later.
Key Details of the Hoax
- Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-4 (a four-engine propeller airplane commonly used in the mid-20th century).
- Reported Disappearance Year: 1955.
- Reported Reappearance: Decades later (often cited as the 1980s or 1990s).
- Origin of Information: Frequently appears in tabloid-style articles and online lists of mysteries, rather than official aviation records.
- Status: Widely recognized as a hoax or urban legend, lacking credible evidence or documentation from official aviation authorities or the airline itself.
The reference provided states explicitly that "Pan Am Flight 914 is a hoax that a Douglas DC-4 disappeared after a takeoff in 1955 and only landed again three decades later."
Therefore, while the story of Pan Am Flight 914 disappearing in 1955 is well-known due to the hoax, it does not represent a real, documented plane disappearance from that year.