Zone
Yunnan

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-5-CU in Nanning

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1943 at 0915 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-12327
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chabua – Kunming
MSN:
26454
YOM:
1943
Location:
Nanning
Guangxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reason, the crew overflew Kunming Airport and continued his route to the southeast. Dozen minutes later, due to fuel exhaustion, the captain ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft and all four crew members bailed out. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a prairie. All four occupants were uninjured.
Probable cause:
According to US Air Command, the crew decided to bail out due to fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-CU Commando near Myitkyina

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-5171
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kunming – Sookerating
MSN:
26373
YOM:
1942
Location:
Myitkyina
Kachin State
Country:
Myanmar
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Myitkyina, Burma. All five crew members were taken PoW and the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-15-DL in Kunming

Date & Time: Oct 16, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
84
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
10158
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kunming
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off, while in initial climb, the right engine caught fire. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing but the aircraft stalled and crashed. While the aircraft was destroyed, both pilots were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Sumprabum: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
72
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kunming – Dinjan
MSN:
9110
YOM:
1943
Location:
Sumprabum
Kachin State
Country:
Myanmar
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While overflying the north of Burma, while on a cargo flight from Kunming to Dinjan, the was able to send a brief mayday message informing they were attacked by the pilot of a Japanese fighter. The aircraft crashed in flames near Sumprabum, some 120 km north of Myitkyina. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Japanese fighter.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Kunming

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
69
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
6222
YOM:
1942
Location:
Kunming
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Kunming, while on a cargo flight, the oil pressure was lost on one engine. The crew decided to return to Kunming but was unable to lower the gear due to a total loss of hydraulic pressure. The aircraft belly landed in a field and skidded for several yards before coming to rest in flames. While both crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Hydraulic failure.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-15-CU Commando in Kunming: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-12422
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26549
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kunming
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Kunming Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft exploded and crashed in a field located 6,5 km northeast of the airport. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Gilbert G. Fincher,
2nd Lt Winfield A. Hird,
Cpl Patrick E. Knipshield,
Pfc Joseph P. Kochie,
Cpl Maurice G. Kosier,
2nd Lt Edward J. Wilson.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-15-CU Commando in Kunming: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 16, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-12418
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dibrugarh – Kunming
MSN:
26545
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kunming
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed on approach to Kunming-Wujiaba for unknown reason. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
1st Lt Henry I. Idema,
Cpl John M. Kraus,
2nd Lt George R. Wendler.

Crash of a Douglas C-53 near Fort Hertz: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-53 Skytrooper (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
48
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Dinjan – Kunming
MSN:
4852
YOM:
1942
Location:
Fort Hertz
Kachin State
Country:
Myanmar
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising in the Fort Hertz Valley, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire. The left engine caught fire, exploded and detached, shearing off a part of the wing. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in flames. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-5-CU Commando in Kunming

Date & Time: Aug 3, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-12319
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26446
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kunming
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on take off following an engine fire. No casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine fire.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-15-CU Commando near Lahe: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-12420
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chabua – Kunming
MSN:
26547
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lahe
Sagaing Region
Country:
Myanmar
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route, an engine failed and the crew was unable to maintain the prescribed altitude. All occupants decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. For unknown reason, one of the crew member died while all 23 other occupants were uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.
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