Curtiss C-46 Commando

Crashed in unknown circumstances on a road located 40 km away from Vilhena. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The flight was a non-scheduled domestic cargo flight. After boarding 162 crates of beer and one passenger at Cúcuta the crew requested clearance to takeoff for Arauca at 10:42. Clearance was given by the control tower for runway 20 with a south-southeast wind at 18 kt. The aircraft used more than 3/4 of the runway for takeoff and initiated a turn over the city, returning over the aerodrome to gain height. At 10:58 hours it reported departure to the southeast, climbing in visual meteorological conditions to 7500 ft and estimating Santo Domingo at 11:13. When the aircraft was at approximately 4500 to 5000 ft, flames were seen coming from the no. 2 engine. The aircraft attempted to return to Cúcuta. On its way back the starboard wing and engine were seen tearing off from the aircraft. The rest of the aircraft immediately started to roll slowly to the left and moments later struck the ground on Cerro del Espinazo. All four occupants were killed.

The crew was engaged in a special cargo flight on behalf of the US Air Force. Shortly after takeoff from Dover AFB, while climbing, a false engine fire warning caused the propeller to feather. The crew elected to return for a safe landing but was unable to lower the landing gear that could bot be locked due to a hydraulic pressure leak in the windshield wiper. The captain decided to complete a belly landing in a field located few dozen yards short of runway. The airplane came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while all three crew members were slightly injured.

The aircraft departed Cuiabá-Marechal Rondon Airport at 1021 GNT, for Porto Velho with an IFR flight plan. At the outskirts of Barra do Bugres about 30 minutes after take-off, the aircraft turned back towards Cuiabá with its left engine on fire. While over Buracao, its left wing and engine broke away from the fuselage and it crashed to the ground out of control. All 13 occupants were killed.

After touchdown at Rio Branco Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

While cruising in limited visibility, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Saguancancha. The wreckage was found few hours later and all nine occupants have been killed.

The crew was performing a night cargo flight from Miami to San Salvador. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the left engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed in a huge explosion near the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Shortly after takeoff from Garoua Airport, while climbing, the airplane stalled and crashed, killing all four occupants.

The C-46 Commando had been cleared for a runway 03L ILS approach at Detroit in poor weather (sky obscured, visibility 1 mile, light drizzle). During the approach, at 1,5 miles right of the ILS course and 1 mile NE of the Outer Marker, the aircraft suddenly entered a 45° bank left turn. The bank angle exceeded 60° as the plane crossed the localizer course from left to right. The aircraft struck several 84 feet tall trees in an 8° nose down and 30° right bank attitude, struck the ground and disintegrated. In the investigation an incapacitation of the captain was considered, but not supported by postmortem examination.

While cruising by night at an insufficient altitude, the airplane struck the slope of the Turrialba Volcano. The wreckage was found a day later and all six occupants have been killed.