Region
Asia

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-25-CU in Mangnung: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 20, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-24724
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kunming - Misamari
MSN:
26645
YOM:
0
Location:
Mangnung
Arunachal Pradesh
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While cruising at a height of 8,000 feet over the mountainous region of Arunachal Pradesh, crew informed ground he was losing his orientation and could not locate his position due to poor weather conditions (heavy rain falls). Captain also requested to ATC if they were able to see his lights but the answer was negative. Thirty seconds later, the aircraft hit a mountain slope and was demolished, killing all four occupants.
Crew:
2nd Lieutenant Jack Hunter, pilot,
2nd Lieutenant Alfred S. Hemmer, copilot,
Sergeant Inman A. Watson, radio operator,
Staff Sergeant John L. Weinberg, flight engineer.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-65-DL in Sookerating

Date & Time: Feb 19, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
42-100588
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
19051
YOM:
1943
Location:
Sookerating
Assam
Country:
India
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. Occupant fate unknown as well.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Dinjan

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
57
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4883
YOM:
1942
Location:
Dinjan
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During takeoff run in Dinjan, aircraft failed to rotate, overrun, came to rest into trees in flames. All three crew were uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
According to officials, pilots were distracted and did not prepare the flight correctly. Therefore, they increased the power of the engine for takeoff but did not decide whom would proceed to rotate.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-20-CU in Chabua AFB

Date & Time: Feb 9, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-24640
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
26561
YOM:
1943
Location:
Chabua AFB (Dibrugarh)
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing for unknown reason. No casualties.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-15-CU near Mohanbari

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-12414
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
26541
YOM:
1943
Location:
Dibrugarh-Mohanbari
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While flying north of Mohanbari Airport, the crew was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while no one was injured.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-25-CU Commando near Goliang: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1944
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-24708
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Mohanbari - Kunming
MSN:
26629
Location:
Goliang
Arunachal Pradesh
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Mohanbari to Kunming, China. En route, the aircraft crashed in a mountainous region of the Arunachal Pradesh. SAR operations were suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft was found. In 1962, hunters discovered the wreckage on the slope of a mountain, at an altitude of 12,000 feet, near the village of Goliang. Debris were spotted some 400 feet from the top.
Crew:
Captain Alvin N. Catalano, pilot,
Lieutenant Robert F. Kearns, copilot,
John T. Briggette, radio operator,
Corporal J. W. Sadler, engineer.
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