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Crash of a Douglas C-54A-DO Skymaster in Comilla: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VT-CYK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Agartala – Calcutta
MSN:
3089
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
En route from Agartala to Calcutta, a fire erupted in the cargo compartment. The captain decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing. The four engine aircraft crash landed in a prairie located in Comilla, slid for several yards and came to rest in flames. All three crew members were able to vacate the cabin and were unhurt. It appears that seven villagers were killed while approaching the aircraft that suffered several explosions. The exact cause of the in flight fire remains unknown.

Crash of Douglas DC-3 Dakota IV near Comilla: 24 killed

Date & Time: Jun 7, 1945 at 0730 LT
Operator:
Registration:
KN254
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Dhaka – Chittagong
MSN:
15736/27181
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
The aircraft left Dhaka in the early morning on a non operational flight to Chittagong, carrying a crew of five and 19 Indian soldiers. While cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft disintegrated in the air and crashed in a field near Comilla. All 24 occupants were killed. Heavy turbulence are suspected.
Crew (215th Squadron):
W/O Peter Le Rey Boucaut, pilot,
F/Sgt G. K. Gibb, copilot,
Sgt A. Stephen, navigator,
Cpl R. F. Sandilands,
LAC H. N. Sandford.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 Dakota IV in Comilla

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
KJ948
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
26240/14795
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Comilla Airport, while in initial climb, an engine failed. The pilot retracted the gear and attempted an emergency belly landing in a paddy field. While there were no casualties, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.