Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-25-CU in Mangnung: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-24724
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Kunming - Misamari
MSN:
26645
YOM:
0
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising at a height of 8,000 feet over the mountainous region of Arunachal Pradesh, crew informed ground he was losing his orientation and could not locate his position due to poor weather conditions (heavy rain falls). Captain also requested to ATC if they were able to see his lights but the answer was negative. Thirty seconds later, the aircraft hit a mountain slope and was demolished, killing all four occupants.
Crew:
2nd Lieutenant Jack Hunter, pilot,
2nd Lieutenant Alfred S. Hemmer, copilot,
Sergeant Inman A. Watson, radio operator,
Staff Sergeant John L. Weinberg, flight engineer.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Sookerating

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
42-100588
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
19051
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. Occupant fate unknown as well.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-10-CU in McClellan AFB: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1944 at 0100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-12339
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
McClellan AFB - Reno
MSN:
26466
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from McClellan AFB, while climbing, aircraft lost height and crashed in flames near the American River, south of the airbase. Two crew were killed while three others were injured.
Probable cause:
An undetermined fire erupted in the cockpit, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Grenada AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1944 at 2055 LT
Operator:
Registration:
41-18396
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Grenada AFB - Grenada AFB
MSN:
4443
YOM:
1942
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On final approach by night and poor visibility, aircraft hit tree tops, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 2,5 miles short of runway. All four occupants were killed. The were completing a training mission in Grenada AFB.

Crash of a Lockheed 14-WF62 Super Electra in Alice Springs

Date & Time: Feb 13, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VH-CXI
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Alice Springs - Adelaide
MSN:
1414
YOM:
0
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a flight on behalf of the Royal Australian Air Force with a crew of three en ten passengers on board. During the takeoff run, thw twin engine aircraft skidded on runway when the left main gear collapsed. Aircraft banked left, causing the left propeller to hit the ground and to be sheared off, hitting the nose of the airplane. While all 13 occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Captain John Robins, pilot,
Sergeant Ken Bird, copilot,
Sergeant Phoenix, radio operator.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-20-CU in Chabua AFB

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
41-24640
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
26561
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
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 Douglas C-47A-75-DL in Linton: 5 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1944 at 1730 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-100873
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Fort Wayne - Atlanta
MSN:
19336
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crew was performing a flight from Fort Wayne to Atlanta-Candler Field. While descending, weather conditions worsened and ATC instructed the pilot to divert to Nashville. Captain modified his route to the northwest but informed ATC that his fuel reserve was limited. Few minutes later, he realized it would be difficult to localize the airport due to poor weather conditions and asked his crew to prepare to bail out. While flying in a low cloud layer, aircraft hit the ground with its left wing and crashed in an open field, killing all five occupants.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL in Parkton: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 7, 1944 at 2030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
42-23795
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mackall AFB - Mackall AFB
MSN:
9657
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crew left Mackall AFB near Hoffman at the end of the afternoon for a training mission. While cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet, aircraft went out of control and dove into the ground. During the dive, aircraft broke in several pieces and eventually came to rest in a wooded area, killing all four occupants.
Probable cause:
According to USAF officials, it appears that crew was performing aerobatics manoeuvres and that the aircraft was completing a looping when the loss of control occurred.

Crash of a Boeing B-17G-1-BO Flying Fortress in Frankfurt: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1944
Operator:
Registration:
42-31036
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
6149
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
While overflying Frankfurt on a bombing mission, the aircraft was shot down by Flak and crashed. All ten occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by Flak.