Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando on Mt Colorado: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Empresa Transportes Aéreos - ETA
Registration:
CP-1244
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
246
YOM:
1945
Location:
Mt Colorado
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Colorado located about 100 km northwest of La Paz. All nine occupants were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando off Roxas City: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 26, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
OASIS - Orient Air System & Integrated Services
Registration:
RP-C189
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Roxas City - Manila
MSN:
33421
YOM:
1945
Location:
Roxas City
Capiz
Country:
Philippines
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Roxas City Airport, the crew encountered engine problems and lost control of the airplane that crashed in the Sibuyan Sea, about 22 km off the north coast of the Panay Island. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine problems for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near San Ignacio de Moxos

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos San Miguel - TASMI
Registration:
CP-909
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
22467
YOM:
1945
Location:
San Ignacio de Moxos
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a swampy area located 55 km northeast of San Ignacio de Moxos. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando near Beni: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Sabeni - Servicios Aéreos Beni
Registration:
CP-1593
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Beni - La Paz
MSN:
32936
YOM:
1944
Location:
Beni
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Beni Airport, while climbing, the crew reported technical problems when control was lost. The aircraft lost altitude and crashed in a mountainous area located few km from Beni. The wreckage was found four days later. Both pilots were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando in San Borja

Date & Time: May 6, 1984
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos San Martin
Registration:
CP-974
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22363
YOM:
1945
Location:
San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 18 at San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, while climbing, the crew reported the failure of the left engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the crew made a ground loop at the end of the runway and the aircraft came to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of aCurtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando in Barranquilla

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1984 at 0747 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1322P
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Barranquilla - Bogotá
MSN:
444
YOM:
1945
Location:
Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz (ex Soledad)
Atlántico
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to return. After landing, the airplane rolled for about 100 meters then took off again. It reached a height of 20 meters then stalled and crashed on the runway. Three crew members and a passenger were killed while two other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. It was reported that all four crew members were former Colombian Air Force pilots. According to authorities, no flight plan had been filed. The flight was named 'suspsicous' because several firearms were found in the wreckage along with 50 plastic drums that are known to be used in production of narcotics.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in San Borja

Date & Time: Nov 10, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos Skorpio
Registration:
CP-1077
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
32968
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, while climbing, one of the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed on a road located by the airport. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46R Commando near La Paz

Date & Time: Oct 28, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos Bolivar - TAB
Registration:
CP-916
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
El Salvador - La Paz
MSN:
30394
YOM:
1944
Location:
La Paz-El Alto
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from El Salvador to La Paz, carrying five people and a load of 5 tons of meat. While descending to La Paz-El Alto Airport at an altitude of 17,000 feet, the left engine failed. The crew was unable to feather the propeller and decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a rocky area located 9 km east from El Alto Airport. Upon landing, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and engines and came to rest. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-50-CU Commando in Tobin Creek

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1983 at 1340 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Nenana Fuel Company
Registration:
N92853
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Fairbanks – Tobin Creek
MSN:
30565
YOM:
1944
Location:
Tobin Creek-Chandalar Lake
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:
18010
Captain / Total hours on type:
6000.00
Aircraft flight hours:
14925
Circumstances:
Just after touchdown the aircraft rolled over a frost heave on the runway surface and began veering to the right. The pilot applied left brake and added power to the right engine but the aircraft continued going right until the right wing struck a hill adjacent to the right side of the runway. The aircraft came to rest in a ditch 110° to the right of the landing runway heading. Examination of the right main landing gear tire revealed a large jagged opening in the sidewall which extended into the tread area of the tire. This opening matched one of the sides of a rock found in the vicinity of the frost heave. The aircraft maintenance logbooks were reviewed and found to have no record of compliance with airworthiness directives. Both pilots escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of control - on ground/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Findings
1. (f) airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven
2. (f) airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy
3. Airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill
4. Landing gear,tire - penetrated
5. Maintenance,recordkeeping - not maintained
6. (c) directional control - not maintained - pilot in command
7. (c) ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: landing - roll
Final Report:

Ground accident of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Shamattawa

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
C-GIXZ
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
22453
YOM:
1945
Location:
Shamattawa
Manitoba
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Shamattawa Airport while on a cargo flight, the crew was taxiing to the apron when the aircraft went off course. The right main gear struck a drainage ditch and was torn off. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Subscribe to Curtiss C-46 Commando