The name Flying Tiger Line, often simply known as the Flying Tigers, holds a significant place in American aviation history. It carved out a pioneering role as the United States' very first scheduled cargo airline, fundamentally shaping the logistics and transportation landscape. Beyond its commercial endeavors, the airline also served as a crucial military charter operator throughout the intense years of the Cold War, transporting vital cargo and personnel for the U.S. armed forces, often utilizing leased aircraft for troop movements. This foundational entity in air freight would eventually be acquired by Federal Express in 1988, marking the end of an era for the independent Flying Tigers.

The Enduring Mystery of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739

Among the most perplexing and tragic incidents associated with the airline is the disappearance of Flying Tiger Line Flight 739. On March 16, 1962, a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation propliner, chartered by the United States military, vanished without a trace over the vast and unforgiving Western Pacific Ocean. This particular aircraft was on a critical mission, transporting 93 U.S. soldiers along with three South Vietnamese personnel from Travis Air Force Base in California, bound for Saigon, Vietnam.

The journey began routinely, with a planned refueling stop at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. After taking off from Guam and heading towards its next destination, Clark Air Base in the Philippines, the Super Constellation simply disappeared from all radar and communication. The fate of all 107 individuals aboard – 93 American soldiers, 3 South Vietnamese, and 11 crew members – was sealed as they were officially declared missing and presumed dead, leaving families and the military grappling with unanswered questions.

The Search and Lingering Questions

The disappearance of Flight 739 triggered one of the largest and most extensive air and sea searches ever undertaken in the history of the Pacific. For eight arduous days, a formidable armada of aircraft and surface ships, drawn from four branches of the U.S. military, scoured an immense area of over 144,000 square miles (approximately 370,000 square kilometers). Despite this monumental effort, no conclusive evidence of the aircraft, no wreckage, and no debris was ever recovered, deepening the mystery.

Amidst the extensive search, a ray of potential insight emerged. The crew of a civilian tanker reported observing what appeared to be an in-flight explosion in the vicinity where the Super Constellation was believed to be. This observation formed the cornerstone of the investigation conducted by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). Their ultimate determination was that, based on the tanker's eyewitness account, Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 most likely exploded in mid-air. However, without any physical remnants of the aircraft to examine, investigators were unable to pinpoint an exact cause for the catastrophic event. This devastating incident remains the worst aviation accident involving the iconic Lockheed Constellation aircraft, a somber reminder of the perils of early trans-Pacific flights and the enduring mysteries of the deep ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions About Flying Tiger Line and Flight 739

What was Flying Tiger Line?

Flying Tiger Line was the United States' first scheduled cargo airline and a significant military charter operator during the Cold War. It was eventually acquired by Federal Express in 1988.

What happened to Flying Tiger Line Flight 739?

On March 16, 1962, Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation carrying 93 U.S. soldiers and 3 South Vietnamese personnel, disappeared over the Western Pacific Ocean while en route from Guam to the Philippines. All 107 people on board were declared missing and presumed dead.

How many people were on board Flight 739?

There were 107 people aboard Flight 739: 93 U.S. soldiers, 3 South Vietnamese individuals, and 11 crew members.

Was any wreckage of Flight 739 found?

No trace of wreckage or debris from Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 was ever recovered despite an extensive eight-day search covering over 144,000 square miles of the Pacific.

What was the cause of the Flight 739 disappearance?

While a civilian tanker reported observing an apparent in-flight explosion, leading the Civil Aeronautics Board to conclude the aircraft probably exploded in mid-air, an exact cause could not be determined due to the lack of recovered wreckage. It remains one of aviation's great unsolved mysteries.