Pan Am Flight 526A was a scheduled commercial flight from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico, carrying 58 people, including 52 passengers and six crew members. The plane was a Douglas DC-6B, a model used by many airlines in the early 1950s. On April 11, during its final approach to San Juan-Isla Grande Airport, the aircraft experienced a catastrophic engine failure shortly after reporting it had only 25 miles to the destination. This failure left the crew with little time to react to the rapidly deteriorating situation.

In an attempt to safely land, the crew prepared for a ditching in the nearby waters. Unfortunately, as the plane came down, it collided with the water and broke apart, leading to a tragic outcome. Rescue efforts were initiated almost immediately, and six of the passengers were rescued, but 52 individuals lost their lives as a result of the incident. The aftermath of the ditching raised questions about safety protocols and procedures in commercial aviation.

This accident became a notable incident in aviation history, prompting discussions about the reliability of airline safety standards and the technology utilized in aircraft at the time. It also became a catalyst for further regulations to prevent similar accidents in the future.