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

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
PP-LDD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Campina Grande – Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
30346
YOM:
1944
Location:
Campina Grande
Paraíba
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
44
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Campina Grande Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and the captain decided to return for a safe landing. For unknown reason (technical issue with the undercarriage ?), the aircraft belly landed, slid for several yards and came to rest on runway. While all 49 occupants were evacuated safely, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando on Mt Fuji: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
XT-852
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
22449
YOM:
1945
Location:
Mt Fuji
Chūbu
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a liaison flight between Tachikawa AFB and Korea. While cruising at an altitude of 8,000 feet in marginal weather conditions, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Fuji and was destroyed upon impact. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Robert Heising, pilot,
Jimmy W. H. Chang, copilot,
T. W. Wen, radio operator.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Yonpo AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
XT-44
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22502
YOM:
1945
Location:
Yonpo AFB (Hamhung)
South Hamgyong (함경남도)
Country:
North Korea
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On behalf of the USAF, the crew was evacuating wounded soldiers between Korea and Japan. On final approach in heavy snow falls, the aircraft crashed in a snow covered field short of runway threshold. A passenger was killed while all eight other occupants were injured. Later, because of enemy pressure the aircraft had to be destroyed.
Crew:
Cpt Paul J. DuPree, pilot,
Stan Pan, copilot,
F/O Ho Sai, radio operator.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Rio de Janeiro

Date & Time: Dec 8, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
PP-XCO
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
30443
YOM:
1944
Location:
Rio de Janeiro-Galeão
Rio de Janeiro
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Rio de Janeiro-Galeão, while climbing, the aircraft suffered an engine failure, stalled and crashed into the Guanabara Bay. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-1-CK Commando in Bogotá

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Linea Aérea Transatlantica de Colombia - LATCO
Registration:
HK-67
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
33
YOM:
1944
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU in Medellín

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Lineas Aéreas del Caribe - LIDCA
Registration:
HK-330
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Medellín – Barranquilla
MSN:
33470
YOM:
1945
Location:
Medellín-José María Córdova (Rionegro)
Antioquia
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Rionegro Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway end. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F Commando in La Paz

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CB-48
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
La Paz
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from La Paz-El Alto Airport, while in initial climb, a technical failure occurred and the crew decided to make an emergency landing near the airport. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, both occupants were unhurt.

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

Date & Time: Nov 8, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CB-47
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
33245
YOM:
1945
Location:
La Paz
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crash landed for unknown reason. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando in Iwakuni AFB

Date & Time: Sep 27, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
XT-862
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22351
YOM:
1945
Location:
Iwakuni AFB
Chūgoku
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown in Iwakuni AFB, the aircraft went out of control and veered off runway to the right. While contacting soft ground, the undercarriage were sheared off and the aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest with its left wing crumpled. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
After landing, the copilot inadvertently opened the right throttle and left cowl flap instead of both cowl flaps.
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