Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in San Fernando de Apure: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
YV-C-EVF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
San Fernando de Apure - Caracas
MSN:
22577
YOM:
1945
Location:
San Fernando de Apure
Apure
Country:
Venezuela
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando in Bouam Long: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PFL
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
22228
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bouam Long
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While cruising at low height on a cargo flight, the airplane was shot down and crashed in flames in a mountainous area. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F Commando in Santiago de Chile: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1971 at 0426 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CAZ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Santiago - Arica
MSN:
50
YOM:
1944
Location:
Santiago de Chile-Los Cerrillos
Región Metropolitana de Santiago
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from runway 03 at Santiago-Los Cerrillos Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot declared an emergency after the right engine failed. He elected to return for an emergency landing when the airplane stalled and crashed in a field located 2 km from the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control during initial climb due to the failure of the right engine for reasons that investigations could not accurately determine due to the destruction of the engines. Due to lack of evidences, it was not possible to correlate the right engine failure and a possible overloading of the aircraft with the operation (normaL or not) of the left engine.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando near Guatemala City: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
TG-ACA
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Guatemala City – Flores
MSN:
121
YOM:
1944
Location:
Guatemala City-La Aurora
Guatemala
Country:
Guatemala
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
29
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Guatemala City-La Aurora Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after an engine failed. The captain elected to return but the airplane lost height and crashed in a hilly terrain located 24 km south of the capital city. All three crew members and two passengers were killed while 27 other occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reason.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-30-CU Commando near La Paz: 12 killed

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
TAM-60
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
La Paz – San Borja
MSN:
26683
YOM:
1943
Location:
La Paz
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
13 minutes after its takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the airplane crashed into Mt Cunatincuta located few km from the capital city. The aircraft was destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando near Nondalton

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1971 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
N10012
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Anchorage - Nondalton
MSN:
33271
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
RV012
Location:
Nondalton
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
13000
Captain / Total hours on type:
3280.00
Circumstances:
After landing on an icy lake located near Nondalton, the aircraft broke thru the ice and partially sank. Both pilots were injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Improper in-flight decisions or planning on part of the flying crew. The aircraft broke thru ice on lake. FSS had message for pilot on ice condition but the crew did not call the station before landing.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D Commando near Palca: 35 killed

Date & Time: Jan 20, 1971 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
FAP381
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mazamari – Lima
Location:
Palca
Junín
Country:
Peru
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
35
Circumstances:
While cruising in limited visibility, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Cuti Padre located in the region of Palca, Junín. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 35 occupants have been killed. The airplane was on its way from Mazamari to Lima, carrying a crew of five and 30 passengers, 14 Police officers and 16 of their family members. It is believed the accident was the result of an in-flight technical problem.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Quy Nhơn

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
B-1543
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Saigon – Quảng Ngãi
MSN:
33021
YOM:
1945
Location:
Quy Nhơn
Bình Định Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Apparently following fuel problems (fuel exhaustion ?), the crew was forced to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane crash landed on a beach located in Quy Nhơn. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Pointe-à-Pitre: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1970
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-792
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
33060
YOM:
1945
Location:
Pointe-à-Pitre
Guadeloupe
Country:
Guadeloupe
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route to Colombia on a cargo flight, the crew informed ATC about technical problems and was cleared to divert to Pointe-à-Pitre-Le Raizet Airport for an emergency landing. On final, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames. Both pilots were killed and two other occupants were injured.
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