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Home » Travel » Anniversary Of A Hoax: Pan Am Flight 914
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Anniversary Of A Hoax: Pan Am Flight 914

Kyle Stewart Posted onJuly 2, 2023July 2, 2023 5 Comments
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On today, July 2nd, 1955, with 57 passengers on board, Pan Am World Airways Flight 914 left New York and the plane disappeared for 37 years. Or did it?


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In the vast realm of urban legends and conspiracy theories, one story has captured the imaginations of many: the mystery of Pan Am Flight 914. This enigmatic tale revolves around a Douglas DC-4 aircraft that vanished during a flight from New York to Miami in 1955, only to reappear inexplicably in Caracas, Venezuela, thirty years later. With its intriguing twists and turns, the story has become a hot topic among UFO enthusiasts and time-travel believers. In this article, we will delve deep into the mystery of Pan Am Flight 914, debunk some misconceptions, and explore the true origins of this fascinating urban legend.

Pan Am flight 914 - https:::commons.wikimedia.org:wiki:File:Pan_Am_DC4_Cipper
Pan Am flight 914 – https:::commons.wikimedia.org:wiki:File:Pan_Am_DC4_Cipper

The Vanishing Flight

On July 2, 1955, Pan Am Flight 914 set off from a New York City airport, carrying 57 passengers and six crew members on board. The flight was scheduled to land in Miami, Florida, within a couple of hours. However, as the aircraft approached its destination, something inexplicable happened. Miami radar detected no approaching aircraft, and there were no distress calls received. Pan Am Flight 914 seemingly disappeared from radar without any contact. The prevailing belief was that the plane had crashed into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Mysterious Reappearance

Fast forward 37 years to March 9, 1985, when an astonishing event occurred. Out of nowhere, Pan Am Flight 914 resurfaced on radar, approaching the Caracas airport in Venezuela. As the pilot skillfully landed the aircraft, ground handlers were astounded to see the faces of the passengers pressed against the windows, staring out at a world that had drastically changed. However, before anyone could comprehend what was happening, the pilot swiftly taxied back to the runway, took off, and vanished once again into thin air. The sudden reappearance and disappearance of the flight left many bewildered and searching for answers.

Rumors swirled around an air traffic controller at Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport, and somehow the United States and Venzuelan governments co-conspiring to eliminate evidence of the event.  That’s how the legend goes anyway.

The Time-Traveling Theory

Numerous theories have emerged over the years to explain the inexplicable events surrounding Pan Am Flight 914. The most popular hypothesis suggests that the aircraft somehow passed through a time portal or wormhole, transporting it from 1955 to 1985. According to this theory, the passengers and crew experienced a time jump, finding themselves in a future they could not comprehend. The exact mechanics of how such time portals or wormholes work remain largely unknown, adding an air of mystery to the story.

More or less, this is the basis of the television show, Manifest. For those who have been puzzled by the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, this tale seems plausible, though the triangle seems to have all but vanished in modern times.

The Twilight Zone Connection

Interestingly, the story of Pan Am Flight 914 bears a striking resemblance to an episode of the classic television series The Twilight Zone. The episode titled “Odyssey of Flight 33” follows a similar narrative, where a commercial airliner travels back in time during a routine flight. The Weekly World News even acknowledged this connection, paying homage to the renowned series created by Rod Serling.

Unveiling the Truth

As captivating as the story of Pan Am Flight 914 may be, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction. In this case, the origin of the tale can be traced back to a tabloid named the Weekly World News. In 1985, this publication first published the fabricated story, capturing the attention of readers with its sensationalized narrative. The Weekly World News ran the story twice more in the 1990s, altering the arrival date to 1992 in subsequent versions. The fabricated account of Pan Am Flight 914 gained further traction when a YouTube channel called Bright Side released a video discussing the supposed disappearance. However, the video only revealed the truth towards the end, leaving viewers captivated by the hoax until then.

To be clear, there was never a missing Pan Am Flight 914. The entire story was a fabrication.

The Influence of Fake News

The power of fake news and sensationalized stories cannot be underestimated but it’s nothing new. Pan Am Flight 914 serves as a prime example of how such tales can captivate and deceive audiences. The allure of a paranormal sensation combined with the fascination people have for aviation contributed to the story’s popularity. Unfortunately, the misinformation spread by the Weekly World News and subsequent channels led many to believe in the existence of a mysterious flight that had disappeared and reappeared.

It wasn’t the greatest hoax ever constructed but it was fairly sturdy over time and still comes up from time to time as a factual story.

The Enduring Fascination

Despite the truth behind Pan Am Flight 914, the enduring fascination with the story remains. The allure of time travel, the unknown, and the inexplicable continues to capture the imagination of many. This urban legend serves as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the human desire to uncover mysteries beyond our comprehension. While Pan Am Flight 914 may be a work of fiction, it reminds us of the vast possibilities that lie within the realm of our imagination.

Conclusion

Pan Am Flight 914 has captivated audiences for decades with its tale of a vanished aircraft reappearing in a different time. However, the true origins of the story lie in the realm of fabricated news and sensationalized narratives. The Weekly World News created a captivating tale that resonated with readers, leading to its perpetuation in various forms over the years. While the story may be a work of fiction, it serves as a reminder of humanity’s enduring fascination with the unknown and our innate desire to unravel the mysteries of our world and beyond.

For what it’s worth, today has been 38 years since the last purported appearance which was 37 after it took off. Maybe we should have looked for it to reappear last year?

What do you think? Have you heard about this hoax? 

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About Author

Kyle Stewart

Kyle is a freelance travel writer with contributions to Time, the Washington Post, MSNBC, Yahoo!, Reuters, Huffington Post, MapHappy, Live And Lets Fly and many other media outlets. He is also co-founder of Scottandthomas.com, a travel agency that delivers "Travel Personalized." He focuses on using miles and points to provide a premium experience for his wife and daughter. Email: sherpa@thetripsherpa.com

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5 Comments

  1. derek Reply
    July 2, 2023 at 10:21 am

    Kyle thinks he knows it all but is pushing a dangerous and false narrative. The Pan Am flight was lost. The passengers are trapped in an inter- dimensional space that Catholic theologians did not understand and called “limbo”. So are the passengers of the Malaysia Airlines jet. In that limbo, Trump is President, ivermectin cures Covid and appendicitis, and Biden is not senile.

    • Roland Reply
      July 2, 2023 at 4:18 pm

      Ivermectin DOES cure Covid. Just ask anyone in India.

  2. ualjetset Reply
    July 2, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    A clear case of fake news,,,,or,,,,,is it???? The truth is Out There….

  3. Sam Reply
    July 7, 2023 at 10:13 am

    Information bias for gullable conspiracy theorists.

  4. Witheld Reply
    November 23, 2023 at 9:09 pm

    For all the dumbasses that believe this story…..YOU ahould have been a passwnger on that flight as well…

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