Crash of a Curtiss C-46A Commando in Puerto Inírida

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1994
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1856
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá - Puerto Inírida
MSN:
369
YOM:
1945
Location:
Puerto Inírida
Guainía
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Puerto Inírida Airport, the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft came to rest in its belly and was damaged beyond repair. All three crew members escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Following heavy rain falls, the runway surface became soft and the aircraft 'sank' upon landing.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in San Borja

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1848
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Borja - Josuiani
MSN:
26999
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine caught fire. The crew shut down the engine and feathered its propeller but was unable to extinguish the fire. Unable to return, the crew attempted an emergency landing in a field located near Aurora. The aircraft came to rest, bursting into flames. All three crew members escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Engine fire for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in La Colina

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Aerosol - Aerovias Sol de Colombia
Registration:
HK-400
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Mitú – Villavicencio
MSN:
22468
YOM:
1945
Location:
La Colina
Meta
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While approaching Villavicencio following an uneventful cargo flight from Mitú, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in an open field located near La Colina, about 30 km east of Villavicencio. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Villavicencio: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
AVESCA - Aerovias Especiales de Carga
Registration:
HK-3468
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Villavicencio - Mitú
MSN:
22436
YOM:
1945
Location:
Villavicencio
Meta
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport, while climbing, the pilot declared an emergency after one of the engine failed. He was cleared to return to the airport and completed a circuit. On final, the airplane stalled and crashed few hundred metres short of runway. Eight passengers were seriously injured and 11 other occupants, among them both pilots, were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Estencia: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1992 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CP-754
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Estencia - La Paz
MSN:
22570
YOM:
1945
Location:
Estencia
Tarija
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight to La Paz, carrying two passengers, three crew members and a load of meat. During the takeoff roll on a wet runway, the left engine lost power. The captain decided to continue and started the rotation. Just after liftoff, the airplane banked left, causing the left wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the aircraft crashed 500 metres from the runway end, bursting into flames. All five occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the crew decided to continue the takeoff procedure after the left engine lost power. The fact that the runway surface was wet was considered as a contributing factor as the aircraft's speed was insufficient.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Cochabamba

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transporte Aéreos Universal
Registration:
CP-1655
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Ignacio de Moxos – Cochabamba
MSN:
33294
YOM:
1945
Location:
Cochabamba
Cochabamba
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Cochabamba-Jorge Wilstermann Airport, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left main gear upon landing for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Bogotá: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1991 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-2716
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Medellín – Bogotá
MSN:
22478
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft was ferried from Medellín to Bogotá after repairs were conducted at Medellín Airport following a gear problems last September 23. On approach to Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 20 km north of the airport. All eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the crew was approaching the airport at an insufficient altitude. Lack of visibility due to clouds was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando in Quirigua: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-750
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22230
YOM:
1945
Location:
Quirigua
Izabal
Country:
Guatemala
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in an illegal contraband flight, carrying four passengers, two pilots and a load of 3 tons of cocaine. While approaching Quirigua, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed few hundred metres from the landing strip, bursting into flames. All six occupants were killed. It was reported by the Guatemalan Authorities that the crew failed to file any flight plan and entered the Guatemalan airspace without permission. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was falsely registered N500 as its real registration was HK-750.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Villavicencio: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1991 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Coral Colombia - Coronado Aerolineas
Registration:
HK-3238
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Villavicencio – Mitú
MSN:
30268
YOM:
1944
Location:
Villavicencio
Meta
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport, while climbing, the right engine oversped and the crew was cleared to return. On approach, the crew realized he could not make it and decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field, slid for few dozen metres and came to rest in a ditch, bursting into flames. A passenger was killed while other occupants were injured.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in Beni

Date & Time: May 14, 1991 at 1442 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1617
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Estancia La Esperanza – La Paz
MSN:
253
YOM:
1945
Location:
Beni
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Estancia La Esperanza to La Paz, while cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the right engine failed. The crew reduced his altitude and diverted to Beni to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine in flight for unknown reasons.
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