Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Manley Hot Springs

Date & Time: Jul 16, 2018 at 0925 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1822M
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fairbanks – Kenai
MSN:
22521
YOM:
1945
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6500
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
300
Copilot / Total hours on type:
135
Aircraft flight hours:
37049
Circumstances:
The pilot reported that, following a precautionary shutdown of the No. 2 engine, he diverted to an alternate airport that was closer than the original destination. During the landing in tailwind conditions, the airplane touched down "a little fast." The pilot added that, as the brakes faded from continuous use, the airplane was unable to stop, and it overran the end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause:
The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown speed and his decision to land with a tailwind without ensuring that there was adequate runway length for the touchdown.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Déline

Date & Time: Sep 25, 2015 at 1203 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C-GTXW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Yellowknife – Norman Wells
MSN:
30386
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
BFL525
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The Buffalo Airways Curtiss C-46A (C-GTXW) was operating as flight 525 from Yellowknife, NT (YZF) to Norman Wells, NT (YVQ). While en route, approximately 140 nautical miles southeast of Norman Wells at 6500 feet above sea level, the crew noticed a drop in the right engine oil quantity indicator in conjunction with a propeller overspeed. The propeller pitch was adjusted to control the overspeed however, oil quantity indication continued to drop rapidly. A visual confirmation of the right engine nacelle confirmed that oil was escaping via the engine breather vent at an abnormally high rate. The right propeller speed became uncontrollable and the crew completed the "Prop overspeed drill". However, the propeller did not feather as selected. Several additional attempts were made to feather the propeller before it eventually feathered. The engine was secured and the shutdown checklist completed. The crew elected to divert to Tulita, NT (ZFN), but quickly determined that the descent rate would not permit that as an option. The only other option for diversion was Déline, NT (YWJ) where weather was reported at half a mile visibility and 300 feet ceiling. An emergency was declared with Déline radio. BFL525 was able to land at Déline however, the landing gear was not selected down to prevent further loss of airspeed resulting in a belly landing approximately midpoint of runway 08. The aircraft continued off the end of the runway coming to a stop approximately 700 feet beyond the threshold. The crew evacuated the aircraft sustaining no injuries however, the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Buffalo Airways’ initial investigation revealed the engine oil scavenge pump had failed. No TSB-BST investigation was conducted on the event.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Santa Cruz: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 2012 at 0813 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1319
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Santa Cruz - Cobija
MSN:
22428
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
12500
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3219
Aircraft flight hours:
29080
Circumstances:
The crew departed Santa Cruz-Viru Viru Airport at 0807LT on a cargo flight to Cobija-E. Beltram Airport. Shortly after takeoff from runway 16, the crew informed ATC he was returning but did not give any details about his situation. On final approach, the aircraft adopted a high-nose attitude, climbed then stalled and crashed 200 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. The passenger was seriously injured and all three crew members were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The cause of the accident was that the aircraft, while on short finals and cleared to land, made an unusual flight maneuver by climbing almost vertically until a wing stall and plunging violently against the terrain, bursting into flames within the security area of the runway.
Final Report: