Zone
Shanxi

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:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
197
YOM:
1945
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
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.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-30-CU Commando in Lüliang

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-24772
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26693
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

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

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-61042
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26917
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a ditch. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Strong cross wind caused the aircraft to swerve during takeoff.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL near Lüliang: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 22, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-15384
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chichiang - Guangzhou
MSN:
19850
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to return to Chichiang Airport. Due to the deterioration of the weather, the crew was unable to return and decided to divert to Chanyi Airport, Yunnan. After the crew jettisoned the cargo, the captain ordered his crew to bail out. The aircraft crashed but was not recovered. Three crew members were rescued while the fourth occupant, S/Sgt Robert C. Bunger, was killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-41-CU Commando in Lüliang

Date & Time: Oct 23, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-107317
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
27004
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crash on landing for unknown reason. No casualties.

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

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-107307
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
26994
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered unknown technical problems and completed an belly emergency landing. There was no casualties but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical problem.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Lüliang: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-96537
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lüliang – Kunming
MSN:
30199
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On take off from Lüliang Airport, the aircraft banked and crashed on the runway edge. Three crew members were killed while the fourth occupant was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
According to the USAAF, the loss of control on take off was caused by an engine failure on rotation.
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