Curtiss C-46 Commando | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Enroute from Karachi to Abadan, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located about 50 km east of Sharjah, in the UAE All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O William G. Harding 2.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando near Lashio

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

42-101199

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

30654

YOM:

1944

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Circumstances:

While on a supply mission, an engine caught fire. All four crew members decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed. All four crew members were rescued.

Probable cause:

Engine fire.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Tsingching: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

44-78306

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

33702

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. A crew member was killed while three others were injured.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Mindoro Island: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

44-77767

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Puerto Princesa - Nichols

MSN:

33163

YOM:

1945

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The aircraft left Puerto Princesa bound for Nichols AFB near Manila with mail and freight on board. At that time, weather conditions were poor with heavy rain falls, low visibility, low clouds and wind up to 20 knots. One hour and twenty minutes after departure, the crew informed ground about his ETA in Nichols, and this was the last radio contact. Later, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the northwest part of Mindoro Island. The wreckage was found few days later and all eight occupants have been killed.
Crew:
S/Sgt Robert E. Beasley,
1st Lt Dean W. Gordon,
Sgt Casimir J. Kaplan,
2nd Lt Leslie H. Latham,
2nd Lt Harvey E. Meitner,
2nd Lt Edward L. Seebon,
Cpl Don C. Tang,
T/Sgt Paul J. Tyler.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Sedalia AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1945 at 1933 LT

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

44-77557

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Sedalia - Sedalia

MSN:

32953

YOM:

1944

Location:

Sedalia AFB

Missouri

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

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Shortly after takeoff from Sedalia AFB runway 13, while climbing to a height of 500 feet, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Thomas D. Smith,
1st Lt Edward B. Ziegler.

Probable cause:

The crew did not prepare the flight properly and failed to check the aircraft prior to departure, leaving the elevator gust locks in place. In such condition, the aircraft was unable to climb properly.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CK Commando in Assam: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 14, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

42-107331

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

27018

YOM:

1944

Location:

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While on a supply mission, the aircraft was lost without trace in the State of Assam. Debris were found by walkers in 2011 in the Karbi Anglong mountain range.
Crew:
1st Lt William M. Duffey,
Sgt Thomas J. French,
2nd Lt Kenneth E. Thomson.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando in Thamainggyi: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jul 14, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

43-47294

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Bhamo - Bhamo

MSN:

365

YOM:

1945

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While cruising at an altitude of 3,000 feet on a supply mission from Bhamo Airfield, the aircraft crashed in an isolated area located in the region of Thamainggyi. The wreckage was found by walkers in January 2006. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Keith G. Case,
1st Lt Robert G. Chesky,
1st Lt Robert M. Hagerman,
Sgt James C. Harris,
Cpl Hal E. Roberts .

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando near Tezpur: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

42-96739

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

30401

YOM:

1944

Location:

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Few minutes after takeoff from Tezpur Airport, the twin engine aircraft crashed in a field located 16 km northeast of the airport. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Edmond F. Bony
F/O James H. German,
1st Lt Harry Simon,
2nd Lt Chester Titus Warner.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in Lüliang: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 6, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

43-47126

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

197

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Region:

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Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, one or both engine lost power. The aircraft hit the slope of a hill located few km from the airport. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
2nd Lt Edward B. Wimmer 3.

Probable cause:

Loss of engine power.