Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando on Mt Tupungato: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 4, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Aircraft Line Maintenance
Registration:
N8040Y
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Delivery
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Buenos Aires – Santiago de Chile – Panama City – Miami
MSN:
30323
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mt Tupungato
Mendoza
Country:
Argentina
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
After being bought by a company based in Miami, the aircraft was transferred from Buenos Aires to Miami on a delivery flight via Santiago de Chile and Panama City. En route to Santiago, while cruising at an altitude of 5,000 meters, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Tupungato (6,750 meters high) located southwest of Mendoza, Argentina. The wreckage was found two years later by a Chilean rescue team. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando on Mt Páramo de Laura: 18 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1978 at 1515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1350
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Bucaramanga - Leticia - La Paz
MSN:
22557
YOM:
1945
Location:
Mt Páramo de Laura
Boyacá
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
While cruising in VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Páramo de Laura (3,543 meters high) located south of Sogamoso, Boyacá. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 18 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain caused by the combination of the following (contributing) factors:
- Strong winds caused the airplane to be off course,
- The crew was flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions,
- Limited visibility,
- The airplane was not airworthy as two VOR receivers were missing and one ADF was unserviceable,
- There were 15 passengers on board while the aircraft was configured for six passengers only.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando off Miami

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1978 at 1511 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
DR & M
Registration:
N157K
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Miami - Miami
MSN:
436
YOM:
1945
Location:
Miami
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Miami-Opa Locka Airport on a local training flight. Few minutes after takeoff, both engines failed. The pilot-in-command ditched the aircraft few hundred yards offshore and the airplane sank and was lost. Two of three occupants were rescued while the instructor could not be located after departing the accident site.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Thompson

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CF-CZH
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
22515
YOM:
1945
Location:
Thompson
Manitoba
Country:
Canada
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Thompson Airport, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to return. The airplane lost speed and height and the crew was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane struck trees and crashed 24 km southeast of Thompson. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine problems of unknown origin.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando off Goyave

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Quarterwins Aviation
Registration:
N74689
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Roseau - Christiansted
MSN:
32975
YOM:
1944
Location:
Goyave
Guadeloupe
Country:
Guadeloupe
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While in normal cruise on a cargo flight from Roseau to Christiansted, the left engine lost hydraulic pressure. The crew shut down the engine and feathered its propeller when the right engine misfired shortly later. In such conditions, the captain reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft off Goyave. All four occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine due to hydraulic pressure issue for unknown reasons. The right engine also partially failed probably after being subject to an excessive use.

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

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1977 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Aeronorte Colombia - Aerovias del Norte
Registration:
HK-75
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Bogotá - Tame
MSN:
22275
YOM:
1945
Location:
Bogotá-El Dorado
Bogotá Capital District
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, the left engine caught fire and failed. The airplane lost speed and height then crashed in flames near the runway end. all three occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Left engine fire on takeoff for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando off Fort Lauderdale

Date & Time: May 6, 1977 at 0302 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Inter Air Cargo Services
Registration:
N355W
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – Miami – San Juan
MSN:
22523
YOM:
1945
Location:
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
20313
Captain / Total hours on type:
9130.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan with an intermediate stop in Miami, carrying three Enstrom helicopters, one passenger and two pilots. Shortly after a night takeoff from Hollywood Airport, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about problems with the right engine that lost power. The captain decided to ditch the airplane that crashed into the sea about 300 yards offshore. While all three occupants were rescued, the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine during initial climb after the pilot attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Powerplant - propeller and accessories: governors,
- Ignition systems: magnetos,
- Excessive-wear/play,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Partial loss of power on one engine,
- Right engine, left magneto excessive drop,
- Attempted feather right prop, unfeather due to pressure switch malfunction.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando off San Juan

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1977 at 1413 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HI-208
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
San Juan - Santo Domingo
MSN:
30685
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Juan-Isla Grande (Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci)
All Puerto Rico
Country:
Puerto Rico
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
8200
Captain / Total hours on type:
3500.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from San Juan-Isla Grande Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The crew could not feather the propeller and control was lost. The airplane lost speed and height and crashed into the sea near the airport. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during climb to cruise due to inadequate maintenance. The following contributing factors were reported:
- The pilot-in-command attempted operation with known deficiencies in equipment,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failure of the ignition system: ignition harness, shielding,
- Failure of the hydraulic pitch control mechanism,
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Failure of the electrical system: generators/alternators,
- Failure of the electrical system: batteries,
- Prop distributor valve losse,
- Right engine generator inoperative,
- Battery weakened.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Espíritu Santo

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1977
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Servicios Aéreos Bolivianos - SAB
Registration:
CP-540
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
33594
YOM:
1945
Location:
Espíritu Santo
Cochabamba
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft suffered an engine failure in flight and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a wooded area. Both pilots were injured and the airplane was written off.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

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

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1976
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1282
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Oranjestad - Barranquilla
MSN:
33345
YOM:
1945
Location:
Oranjestad
Dutch Antilles
Country:
Dutch Antilles
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Oranjestad-Reina Beatrix Airport, while climbing, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both crew members was found.
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