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-46D-10-CU Commando near Taichung: 57 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1964 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
B-908
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Taichung – Taipei
MSN:
32950
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
57
Captain / Total flying hours:
12453
Copilot / Total flying hours:
14911
Aircraft flight hours:
19488
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Taichung, the no. 1 engine oversped. A left turn was initiated in order to make an emergency return to the Taichung Airport or nearby military air base. The pilot lost control and the aircraft struck the ground in a left wing low and a comparatively steep nose low attitude.
Probable cause:
About 5 miles west of the accident site was Kung-Kuan Military Air Base. Six miles south-southwest was Shui-Nan Airport from where the aircraft took off. On the right side of the flight pattern was a chain of mountains. It was concluded that, when the pilot found that the left engine was overspeeding, he made an abrupt left turn to land at Kung-Kuan Military Air Base or return to Shui-Nan Airport. During the turn he lost control of the aircraft, which crashed to the ground.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando into Laguna Brava

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
LV-HIJ
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Antofagasta – Buenos Aires
MSN:
22346
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 5,250 meters, the propeller on the left engine oversped to 3,700 rpm and was feathered. The crew elected to divert to the nearest airport but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. A wheels up landing was carried out on the Laguna Brava salt lake at an altitude of 4,192 meters. All occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was abandoned on site. The airplane was completing a cargo flight from Antofagasta to Buenos Aires, carrying Arabian race horses.
Probable cause:
Forced landing with undercarriage retracted on an inadequate site because of technical faults in the No.1 engine which could not be determined.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in La Fortuna

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PT-BVG
Flight Type:
MSN:
30456
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was conducting an illegal flight to Buenos Aires. He apparently elected to land on a wasteland located in La Fortuna, in the suburb of Buenos Aires, when the airplane crash landed by night. The crew fate remains unknown while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was owned by Nilton Lopes Olearo.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando off Rio de Janeiro: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1964 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
PP-LDL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro
MSN:
33467
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed Rio de Janeiro-Santos Dumont Airport on a local training flight to Rio de Janeiro-Galeão Airport. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the crew informed ATC that the right engine caught fire and received the permission to return for an emergency landing. Unable to extinguish the fire, the crew feathered the propeller and reduced his altitude when the right wing, on fire, detached. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and crashed into the Guanabara Bay. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire on the right engine for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Curtiss CW-20T in Thysville

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SE-CFF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
53
YOM:
1944
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft failed to takeoff from Thysville Airport and crashed in a field. Both crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was written off. They were engaged in a humanitarian flight on behalf of the UNO.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-15-CU Commando into the Atlantic Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5160V
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Gander – Santa Maria
MSN:
26512
YOM:
1943
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the Atlantic Ocean about 240 km northwest of the Azores Islands while on a flight from Gander to Santa Maria. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-20-CU Commando near Nederland: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1963 at 1919 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N609Z
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Lowry - Ogden
MSN:
26571
YOM:
1943
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
13527
Captain / Total hours on type:
10128.00
Aircraft flight hours:
11694
Circumstances:
The crew was conducting a cargo flight from Lowry AFB to Ogden-Hill AFB on behalf of the US Air Force. While cruising over the Rockies at an altitude of 12,500 feet, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the slope of mountain and crashed in flames. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the airplane nor the three occupants was found. The wreckage was located on 8 July 1964. All three occupants were killed and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the probable cause of the accident was an improper in-flight decision or planning on part of the flying crew who exercised poor judgment. The weather briefing provided to the crew by the military personnel prior to takeoff at Lowry AFB was inadequate, which was considered as a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Ban Phonemuang: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
B-150
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
22526
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a supply mission and the aircraft was carrying rise bags. While cruising at low height, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in a prairie. Both pilots were killed while five other occupants were taken PoW.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in Laos: 15 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Laos while conducting a supply mission. A passenger survived while 15 other occupants were killed. It is believed the aircraft model needs to be confirmed.