Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-10-CU Commando near Bannak: 11 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Lane Xang Airlines
Registration:
XW-PKJ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Battambang - Phnom Penh
MSN:
26493
YOM:
1943
Location:
Bannak
Pursat
Country:
Cambodia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
En route from Battambang to Phnom Penh, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in an isolated area. SAR operations were abandoned after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 11 occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually located by walkers few years later in the region of Bannak.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Laos: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PBW
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Vientiane - Vientiane
MSN:
33451
YOM:
1945
Location:
Laos
All Laos
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Vientiane-Wattay Airport with two pilots, three cargo kickers and various foodstuffs that should be dropped over an unknown drop zone somewhere in Laos. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances about 120 km northwest of Vientiane. The wreckage was not found and all five occupants are believed dead.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando near Port-au-Prince: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos de Integración -TAISA
Registration:
TI-1010C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Port-au-Prince - San José
MSN:
33348
YOM:
1945
Location:
Port-au-Prince
West
Country:
Haiti
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Port-au-Prince Airport, while climbing, one of the engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed onto a mountain slope located few km from the airport. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in South Korea: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Location:
South Korea
All South Korea
Country:
South Korea
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a night training mission when the airplane went out of control and crashed on the slope of a mountain located in the south part of South Korea. The aircraft was destroyed and all six occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The loss of control was the consequence of an engine failure.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando near San Ignacio de Moxos: 7 killed

Date & Time: Feb 23, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
CP-1052
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Trinidad - Oruro
MSN:
30195
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Ignacio de Moxos
Beni
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
En route from Trinidad to Oruro, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with turbulences when control was lost. The airplane crashed on the slope of a mountain located in the region of San Ignacio de Moxos. The wreckage was found two days later and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the ropes securing the cargo failed while the aircraft was subject to atmospheric turbulences, causing the CofG to be modified and the cargo to shift. In such conditions, the airplane became uncontrollable.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Unduavi: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Servicios Aéreos Bolivianos - SAB
Registration:
CP-990
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
San Borja - La Paz
MSN:
22490
YOM:
1945
Location:
Unduavi
La Paz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising in poor weather conditions on a cargo flight from San Borja to La Paz, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Unduavi. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the airplane was found. The wreckage was located in August 1974. There were no survivors.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-50-CU Commando in Puerto Aysén: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transportes Aéreos Suravia
Registration:
CC-COA
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
30576
YOM:
1944
Location:
Puerto Aysén
Región Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo
Country:
Chile
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While approaching Puerto Aysén Airport, the airplane banked left then entered a dive and crashed few km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed on impact and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left elevator that detached in flight, causing the airplane to become uncontrollable.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in Phnom Penh

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Air Union Laos
Registration:
XW-PKK
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Phnom Penh-Pochentong
Phnom Penh
Country:
Cambodia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon touchdown at Pochentong Airport, a landing gear collapsed. The airplane went out of control and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Santa Ana

Date & Time: Dec 7, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Transaéreos Illimani
Registration:
CP-910
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
33234
YOM:
1945
Location:
Santa Ana
Santa Cruz
Country:
Bolivia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Santa Ana Airport, the left engine failed and caught fire. The crew was able to continue the approach, landed safely and stopped the airplane on the runway. While all four occupants evacuated safely, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure and fire on approach.

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

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1973 at 1850 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
HK-1383
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Barranquilla – San Andrés
MSN:
22522
YOM:
1945
Location:
Cartagena
Bolívar
Country:
Colombia
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After it departed Barranquilla Airport, while cruising over the Caribbean Sea at an altitude of 10,000 feet, the left engine caught fire. The crew activated the fire extinguishing system but the was unable to feather the propeller due to a technical issue. Due increase speed and avoid any stall, the captain plunged and the passenger jettisoned the cargo. Eventually, the crew was forced to ditch the airplane into the Caribbean Sea about 34 km off Cartagena. The aircraft sank within four minutes and was lost while all three occupants were rescued.
Probable cause:
Powerplant fire and failure of the feathering system which led to critical flight conditions when the prop began windmilling. The following factors were reported:
- The aircraft was overloaded by 1,167 kilos,
- The crew was not aware of the load prior to departure.
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