September 16, 2024, marks the 58th anniversary of the only recorded water landing in the history of Spanish aviation. To commemorate this extraordinary event, GEOSAT has captured images of the island of Tenerife where the incident happened. The event took place on September 16, 1966, when a DC-3 aircraft operated by Spantax for Iberia made an emergency landing in the waters off El Sauzal, Tenerife. Although the event is not well known, its story is a testament to the bravery and skill of the crew and the solidarity of the local fishermen who assisted in the rescue
The Flight and the Emergency: An Unexpected Technical Failure
Flight IB-261 took off on the morning of September 16, 1966, from the Airport of Los Rodeos bound for La Palma. Onboard were 24 passengers and three crew members: Captain Eugenio Maldonado, co-pilot Fernando Piedrafita, and flight attendant María del Carmen Vázquez. What started as a routine flight quickly turned into a survival experience. Just two minutes after takeoff, the left engine began to vibrate abnormally. The propeller was unresponsive to control mechanisms, and the aircraft started to lose altitude rapidly.
With the coast ahead and no possibility of returning to the airport, the captain made the toughest decision of his career: to attempt an emergency water landing. He informed the control tower and his crew, preparing passengers for the imminent impact.
The Water Landing and the Rescue: A Race Against Time
The aircraft successfully landed in Los Angeles Bay, about 300 meters from the coast, where several fishing boats were operating. The fishermen, upon witnessing the maneuver, quickly headed towards the aircraft to assist in the rescue. The plane stayed afloat for about ten minutes, enough time for 23 passengers and all the crew to evacuate with the help of the fishermen.
Everyone managed to leave the aircraft except for one passenger, a justice of the peace who, in a panic, refused to exit and clung to a door handle. The captain attempted to save him, but it was impossible, and the plane sank with the unfortunate passenger still on board.
A Legacy Under the Sea: The Wreck of the DC-3
Despite the challenging conditions, the aircraft has attracted many divers exploring its wreckage, becoming a point of interest of Tenerife’s northern coast. The bent propellers and overturned fuselage are reminders of the impact of the water landing.
In 1997, a team of divers pinpointed the aircraft’s exact location. It sits on a sandy bed, with visible parts like the landing gear, tail, and engines, near a trench over 80 meters deep. The strong currents make diving risky, but the allure of this piece of history continues to draw experienced divers.
58 Years Later: A Tribute to Courage
The water landing of Spantax’s DC-3 is not only a historic event for Spanish aviation but also a tale of bravery, cooperation, and humanity. Fifty-eight years after that day, we remember the skill of the crew, the tragedy of the only victim, and the solidarity of the fishermen who risked their lives to save others without a second thought.
The legacy of this event lives on under the waters of El Sauzal, serving as a reminder of the fragility and courage inherent in flight. While the aircraft rests at the bottom of the sea, its story continues to float in the memories of those who know it.
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