Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in Managua

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AN-AMR
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
175
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Managua Airport, while climbing, the left engine caught fire. The crew informed ground about his situation and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. Following a 'normal' approach, the airplane belly landed and slid for dozen meters before coming to rest onto the runway. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Belly landed following an engine fire after takeoff.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in Managua: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HC-AMC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
167
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Managua-Las Mercedes Airport. A crew member was killed while the second one was injured.

Crash of a Douglas B-26B Invader in Managua

Date & Time: Mar 15, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
422
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Managua - Managua
MSN:
27485
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training mission at Managua-Las Mercedes Airport when he encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to abandon the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed. While both pilots were found alive, the airplane was destroyed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46C Commando in Managua

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AN-AKY
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Managua – Miami
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was operating a cargo flight from Managua to Miami, carrying two pilots and a load of 25,000 pounds of coffee. Shortly after takeoff from Managua-Las Mercedes Airport, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The crew elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in flames 5 km from the airport. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46C Commando in Managua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1961 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AN-AOE
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Managua – Miami
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
12135
Captain / Total hours on type:
5066.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Las Mercedes at 1100LT on an IFR flight to Miami, Florida. Its only occupants were the captain and copilot. Shortly after takeoff control difficulties were experienced. During an attempt to return to the airport, the aircraft stalled on final approach, went into a spin and crashed at an angle of 45° to 50° on its right wing. The aircraft immediately burst into flames, and the central section, fuselage and the portion of the wings which contained the fuel tanks, were destroyed. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was attributed to cargo displacement towards the rear of the aircraft during the take-off run or immediately after taking-off.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S Expeditor in Guezalguaque

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
496
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
6335
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was forced to make an emergency landing in a cotton field. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while the pilot Cpt Reyes was unhurt.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in Siuna: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1960 at 1439 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
AN-AIN
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Siuna – Bonanza
MSN:
26945
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
5650
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 2,400 meters past the runway end. A crew member and a passenger were killed while 16 other occupants were injured. The airplane was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
During the investigation, when the port propeller was being dismantled it was discovered that the distributor valve was broken from the base of the junction with the engine crankshaft, the first threads having broken. The break appeared to be due to fatigue. From the evidence, the rupture of the distributor valve of the port propeller appears to have been the main cause of the accident, additional factors being unfavorable terrain, wind and altitude conditions.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 in Nicaragua: 60 killed

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
TI-1022
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
55
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
60
Circumstances:
While performing a flight within Nicaragua, the aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a Nicaraguan Air Force fighter and crashed. All 60 occupants were killed. The date of the occurrence is also reported as July 17, 1959.
Probable cause:
Shot down.

Crash of a Vickers 763D Viscount in Managua: 15 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1959 at 1335 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YS-09C
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Managua – Tegucigalpa – San Salvador – Guatemala City – Mexico City – New Orleans
MSN:
82
YOM:
1955
Flight number:
TA779
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 29 at Managua-Las Mercedes Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft banked left and crashed in flames in a field located 2,4 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and 15 people were killed, among them two crew members. Four occupants survived the crash.
Probable cause:
In accordance with the documentation obtained and data collected during the inquiry, the Investigating Board reached the following conclusions. The accident was caused by the following factors:
- Failure of number 1 engine at the end of runway 29 during takeoff and before reaching V2 speed,
- The non-retraction of the landing gear immediately after the aircraft reached V2 speed,
- Failure of engine number 2 a few seconds later, during a climb with insufficient speed to maintain control which resulted in a forced turn to the left that became tighter and tighter; the aircraft finally rolled into an inverted position and hit a tree with its left wing. Several possible reasons for the failure of engines no.1 and 2 and the non-retraction of the landing gear were considered, however the Board found no substantiating evidence or proof in the various tests carried out on the aircraft's parts to support any one of them.
The Board was therefore, unable positively to attribute the accident to any mechanical or electrical failure or to any piloting error.