Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando in Phu Cum

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1967 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
N9473Z
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22293
YOM:
1945
Location:
Phu Cum
Louangphabang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9722
Captain / Total hours on type:
1255.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Luang Parabang Airport while on a charter flight, the airplane was hit by enemy fire. The left engine caught fire and the crew elected to make an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located in Phu Cum, few km from the airport, slid for several and came to rest in flames. While all six occupants were evacuated, the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando off Okinawa

Date & Time: Jul 5, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
51-1125
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
33399
YOM:
1945
Location:
Okinawa
Okinawa
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Apparently following technical problems, the crew elected to ditch the aircraft few km off the Okinawa coast while on a liaison flight. All 22 occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in San Ramon

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Rutas Aéreas Uncia
Registration:
CP-769
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22393
YOM:
1945
Location:
San Ramón
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46T Commando in Cape Dyer: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CF-NAD
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
30200
YOM:
1944
Location:
Cape Dyer
Nunavut
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The approach to Cape Dyer Station was attempted in whiteout conditions. On final, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck the ground and crashed some 1,4 km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Poor flight planning on part of the flying crew. Whiteout conditions at destination was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-5-CK Commando in Incahuara

Date & Time: May 2, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Aero Taxis Orientales
Registration:
CP-712
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
84
YOM:
1944
Location:
Incahuara
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in Seoul: 59 killed

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1967 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Seoul - Daegu
Location:
Seoul-Yeouido AFB
Seoul (서울)
Country:
South Korea
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
59
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Yeouido AFB in Seoul, while climbing to Daegu in poor weather conditions, the captain informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and elected to return for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in the district of Kum Ho-Dong. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and several houses and buildings were destroyed. All 15 occupants were killed as well as 44 people on the ground. 120 other people were injured, 23 of them seriously. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with fog and drizzle.
Probable cause:
Failure (fire) of the left engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando in Bogotá

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1967 at 0725 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-758
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá – Barranquilla – Miami
MSN:
32815
YOM:
1944
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Bogotá-El Dorado, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height. One minute after liftoff, the crew attempted an emergency landing and completed a belly landing in a wasteland. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in La Yareta Pass

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CC-CDH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
32940
YOM:
1944
Location:
La Yareta Pass
Región de Coquimbo
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight within Chile, carrying four crew members and a load of five tons of meat. In unknown circumstances, it crashed on a mountain slope located near the La Yarita Pass. All four crew members were injured and the airplane was destroyed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Hilo: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1967 at 1624 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Channel Air Lift
Registration:
N30046
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22417
YOM:
1945
Location:
Hilo
Hawaii
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
9751
Captain / Total hours on type:
351.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Hilo-General Lyman Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed near the runway. It was destroyed upon impact and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the cargo shifted rearward prior to takeoff, causing the CofG range to be beyond the aircraft controllable limit. Inadequate preflight preparation and/or planning on part of the flying crew and improperly loaded aircraft on part of the ground personnel.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-25-CU Commando near Olacapato Chico

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Germa Inc.
Registration:
ZP-CAP
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Desert
MSN:
26658
YOM:
1943
Location:
Olacapato Chico
Salta
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a desert area located near Olacapato Chico, some 40 km northwest of San Antonio de los Cobres. All three crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
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