Region
Asia

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Lüliang: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-96537
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lüliang – Kunming
MSN:
30199
YOM:
1944
Location:
Lüliang
Shanxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On take off from Lüliang Airport, the aircraft banked and crashed on the runway edge. Three crew members were killed while the fourth occupant was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
According to the USAAF, the loss of control on take off was caused by an engine failure on rotation.

Crash of a Consolidated C-87-CF Liberator Express in Hsinching

Date & Time: Sep 20, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express
Operator:
Registration:
41-11641
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
137
YOM:
1941
Location:
Hsinching (Xinjin)
Sichuan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crash landed for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando in Yunnanyi

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-96548
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
30210
YOM:
1944
Location:
Yunnanyi
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew encountered technical problems and the captain ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft and to bail out. While the aircraft dove into the ground, crashed and was destroyed, all four crew members were found alive.
Probable cause:
Unknown technical failure.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in the Huhuang Valley: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
97
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
20253
YOM:
1944
Location:
China
All China
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
While flying in the Huhuang Valley, both engines lost power. The captain elected to divert to Shimbuwang Airport but realized it was not possible to do it. He snap the autopilot and ordered the crew to bail out. He abandoned the aircraft but both other crew members failed to bail and opened their parachute into the cabin. While the copilot was caught outside and hit the stabilizer, the radio navigator fall in the rear of the cabin. Out of control, the aircraft crashed and was destroyed by fire. The captain was found alive few days later while both other crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Power loss on both engines.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Kunming: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
73
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
9109
YOM:
1943
Location:
Kunming
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after take off from Kunming Airport, the crew made a turn to the right when the aircraft hit a mountain slope, fell down into a ravine and came to rest in a small lake. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It appears the crew did not follow the appropriate procedures for departure as they followed the wrong track and moreover at an insufficient altitude.

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

Date & Time: Jul 30, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-60997
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26872
YOM:
1944
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:
For undetermined reason, the aircraft belly landed and was damaged beyond repair. No casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando in Chanyi: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1944 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
42-61039
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
26914
YOM:
1944
Location:
Chanyi
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances 24 km from Chanyi, killing all four crew members.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Guilin: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 18, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
71
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kunming – Chongqing
MSN:
9013
YOM:
1943
Location:
Guilin
Guangxi
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
En route to Chongqing, the captain was informed that the destination airport was closed to traffic due to poor weather conditions. He decided to divert to Guilin Airport but this one was closed as well as all others in the region. The crew flew over the mountainous region for several hours to burn fuel. Eventually, when the fuel reserve was low, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing on a mountain slope. He placed the aircraft in a slightly nose up position and hit the mountain at a speed of 80 knots. The aircraft slid for several yards before coming to rest. A passenger, a US Marine Officer, was killed, while all 13 other occupants were unhurt.
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