Flight 19 comprised five TBM Avenger torpedo bombers that took off from Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a routine training exercise. The mission was intended to involve a three-legged flight pattern where the aircraft would practice navigation over the Atlantic Ocean, but shortly after takeoff, the weather conditions worsened, leading to confusion among the pilots. As they navigated over the waters of the Bermuda Triangle, they faced disorienting compass readings, which compounded the challenge of maintaining their intended flight path. Lieutenant Charles C. Taylor, the flight leader, expressed concern over the radio that they were lost, and his reports led to a widespread search and concern for the missing aircraft.The disappearance of Flight 19 not only incited a massive search operation involving additional planes and ships, but it also sparked numerous theories and speculations about the Bermuda Triangle. The rescue aircraft sent to find them, a Martin PBM Mariner, also experienced problems and vanished during its search, further deepening the mystery. Investigators struggled to explain the events, attributing the disappearance to human error, equipment malfunctions, and other factors. However, the case became part of broader Bermuda Triangle lore, leading many to speculate about supernatural or extraterrestrial involvement amid popular culture.