Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando near Taichung: 57 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 20, 1964 at 1740 LT
Operator:
Registration:
B-908
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Taichung – Taipei
MSN:
32950
YOM:
1944
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
57
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:
