Pilot of the initial airmail flight , Ed Musick , died two years later when Sikorsky S-42 '' Samoan Clipper '' exploded over Samoa in January , 1938 . '' Hawaii Clipper '' disappeared westbound from Guam to Manila in July , 1938 . There were unsubstantiated rumors of Japanese involvement , similar to those arising from the disappearance of Amelia Earhart a year earlier . Earhart 's navigator , Fred Noonan , had been navigator aboard '' China Clipper '' during the initial airmail flight . Boeing 314 flying boats '' Honolulu Clipper '' ( NC18601 ) and '' California Clipper '' ( NC18602 ) joined the surviving Martin M-130s in 1939 , and '' Pacific Clipper '' ( NC18609 ) and '' Anzac Clipper '' ( NC18611 ) extended service to New Zealand and Australia in 1941
Samoan Clipper
Samoan Clipper
China Clipper flight departure site