Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

HK-390

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami – Barranquilla – Medellín – Bogotá

MSN:

32954

YOM:

1944

Flight number:

LL503

Location:

Bogotá-El Dorado

Bogotá Capital District

Country:

Colombia

Region:

South America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

8289

Circumstances:

While on final approach to El Dorado Airport in Bogotá, the airplane stalled and crashed few km short of runway 12. Fourteen people were evacuated while 37 others, among them six crew members, were killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to take proper action to counteract the loss of speed and height in the final approach turn. The following factors contributed to the accident:
- Lack of operational control by the airlines concerned,
- The pilot in command lacked experience as a transport pilot,
- It is probable that the report from the control tower at Eldorado that the runway was restricted because another aircraft had crashed in the safety zone had a psychological effect on the pilot.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A Commando in Miami

Date & Time: Apr 14, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CU-C644

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Miami – Havana

Location:

Miami-Intl

Florida

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and belly landed. It skidded for dozen yards before coming to rest. All four occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in Siuna: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1960 at 1439 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

AN-AIN

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Región Autónoma del Atlántico Norte

Schedule:

Siuna – Bonanza

MSN:

26945

YOM:

1944

Location:

Siuna

Country:

Nicaragua

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

5650

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 2,400 meters past the runway end. A crew member and a passenger were killed while 16 other occupants were injured. The airplane was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

During the investigation, when the port propeller was being dismantled it was discovered that the distributor valve was broken from the base of the junction with the engine crankshaft, the first threads having broken. The break appeared to be due to fatigue. From the evidence, the rupture of the distributor valve of the port propeller appears to have been the main cause of the accident, additional factors being unfavorable terrain, wind and altitude conditions.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando in Pelly Bay

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CF-IHQ

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

448

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On approach to Pelly Bay, the airplane was too low and struck the ground few hundred yards short of runway. Both pilots were seriously injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude and the aircraft struck the ground while on the downwind leg of a circuit to land.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-60-CS Commando near Planeta Rica: 25 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1960 at 1610 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

HK-516

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

San Andrés – Medellín

MSN:

00384

YOM:

1945

Flight number:

MM901

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

15876

Circumstances:

En route from San Andrés Island to Medellín, while cruising in bad weather conditions, the pilot informed ATC about technical problems on the left engine and elected to divert to Planeta Rica. On approach, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Los Mellos located about 11 km from the airfield. Three crew members and 22 passengers were killed while 21 other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

The accident was attributed to an error of judgement in that the pilot decided to land at an airport which was closed and where no radio aid was available at the time when he was in visual flight at an adequate altitude and close to several airports offering good characteristics and suitable weather conditions. In addition, the pilot underestimated the malfunction that at the time had developed in the left engine. The following contributing factors intervened:
- Malfunction in the carburetor of the left engine resulting in intermittent overspeeding and slight coughing,
- Adverse weather conditions (namely thick mist, rain, hail and electric storm) which prevailed in the area and in the vicinity of Planeta Rica Airport at the time of the accident,
- The lack of communications which prevented the pilot from being briefed on the weather conditions at Planeta Rica Airport and from being informed of the absence of tower or radio facility services owing to the time-table in force at the airport.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-30-CU Commando at McGuire AFB

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Associated Air Transport

Registration:

N46Q

Flight Phase:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Louisville – McGuire

MSN:

26684

YOM:

1943

Location:

McGuire AFB (Fort Dix)

New Jersey

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The Curtiss was being used for a civil air movement of military personnel from Louisville to McGuire AFB. En route, in the Elkins-Charleston area light to moderate icing occurred. This required the use of wing deicers and propeller anti-icers. Shortly after passing Baltimore the same weather conditions were encountered which required a power setting of 2400 rpm and 38" manifold pressure. The plane lost altitude, which forced the crew to apply METO power setting of 2600 rpm and 45" manifold pressure. During the final (GCA) approach to McGuire AFB the plane stalled and crash-landed 1200 feet short of the runway threshold. Both engines were sheared off on impact.

Probable cause:

Crew failed to maintain an accurate log of the flight as pertains to flight planning/fuel consumption/fuel requirements.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in Port Hardy

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1960 at 1758 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CF-PWD

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Port Hardy – Comox

MSN:

2940

YOM:

1945

Flight number:

PW104

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Few minutes after his departure from Port Hardy, the pilot informed ATC that the right engine failed and obtained the permission to return for a safe landing. To avoid any stall, the left engine power was increased to its maximum and the crew continued the descent in marginal weather conditions. The airplane landed at high speed and was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and eventually crashed against trees in a swampy area. All 51 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

The right engine failed because of a fatigue fracture of the reduction drive ring gear necessitating feathering of the propeller. Due to the presence of a fog bank, a steep approach was necessary with result that the landing was made at a higher than normal airspeed which, coupled with reduced braking action on the wet runway, caused the aircraft to overrun the landing area.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-15-CU Commando in Dianopólis

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1960

Type of aircraft:

Transportes Aéreos Salvador

Operator:

Registration:

PP-SLJ

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

26535

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to a halt. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

Probable cause:

Loss of control caused by the bad condition of the runway surface.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando into the Caribbean Sea: 45 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1959 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft: