Region
Asia

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-30-CU Commando in Lüliang

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-24772
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26693
YOM:
1943
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK in Kunming

Date & Time: Mar 31, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
43-47149
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
220
YOM:
1945
Location:
Kunming
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crash landed at Kunming-Wujiaba Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Xi'an: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-15901
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
20367
YOM:
1944
Location:
Xi'an
Shaanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason, killing both crew members.
Crew:
1st Lt Lawrence F. Ireson Jr.,
Sgt Wilbur P. L. Kirkpatrick.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK Commando in Chinkiang

Date & Time: Mar 29, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
43-47140
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
211
YOM:
1945
Location:
Zhenjiang
Jiangsu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach was too high and the aircraft landed too long. After touchdown, the remaining distance was insufficient. The pilot observed a ditch at the end of the runway and turn steeply to the right. The aircraft went out of control and came to rest. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew. The pilot was stressed and confused at the time of the accident as he just witnessed the explosion of a USAAF B-25 in flight.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando near Yunnanyi

Date & Time: Mar 25, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-61005
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
26880
YOM:
1944
Location:
Yunnanyi
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Enroute, the crew encountered an unexpected situation (maybe an engine failure) and was forced to abandon the aircraft that crashed in a mountainous area. All crew members survived but the aircraft was lost.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK near Yunlong

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
43-47114
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
185
YOM:
1944
Location:
Yunlong
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an engine failure in flight, the crew decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed. All four crew members were uninjured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-54B-1-DC Skymaster in Yunnan: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
42-72418
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
10523
YOM:
1945
Location:
Yunnan
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed somewhere in the mountains while performing a flight between India, China and Burma. The wreckage was never found and it is believed that the aircraft may have crashed in the west mountains of of the Yunnan Province.
Crew:
Cpt Richard A. Harris Jr.,
1st Lt Jerome L. Olson,
T/Sgt Henry E. Peavy,
Pvt James M. Rosno.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-55-CK in Mangshih: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
43-47086
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
157
YOM:
1944
Location:
Mangshih
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason, killing a crew member, 1st Lt Lyle C. Ethell.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in Luliang

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1945
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-61042
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26917
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in a ditch. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Strong cross wind caused the aircraft to swerve during takeoff.
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