Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Myrtle Beach: 39 killed

Date & Time: Jul 23, 1950 at 1022 LT
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
44-77577
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Myrtle Beach – Nashville
MSN:
32973
YOM:
1944
Location:
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
39
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height between 1,000 and 2,000 feet, the aircraft became unstable, lost height and crashed in a huge explosion in a field located two miles from the airfield. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 39 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Several eye-witnesses reported that the aircraft lost some pieces before it came down. Investigations determined that following the failure of a part of the right aileron, it detached from the wing, causing severe vibrations. The crew tried to maintain a flat attitude but the aircraft banked left and right and then went into a spin when both wings separated due to aerodynamic forces that exceeded their certification. In such conditions, control was impossible.

Crash of a Fairchild C-82A Packet in Kenai

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-82 Packet
Operator:
Registration:
45-57831
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
10201
YOM:
1945
Location:
Kenai
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing for unknown reason. Occupant's fate unknown.

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan in Memphis

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan
Operator:
Registration:
42-36894
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
3274
YOM:
1942
Location:
Memphis
Tennessee
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed on takeoff for unknown reason. The crew fate remains unknown.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson XI off Margate

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Avro 652 Anson
Operator:
Registration:
PH611
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Location:
Margate
Kent
Country:
United Kingdom
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a liaison flight from Bückeburg, Lower Saxony, to England. While approaching the English coast, an engine failed, forcing the crew to ditch the aircraft about ten miles northeast of Margate, Kent. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Ground accident of a Douglas C-47B-45-DK in Taejon

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
45-0890
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
16893/34150
YOM:
1945
Location:
Daejeon
Daejeon (대전)
Country:
South Korea
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Suffered an accident while taxiing. No casualties.

Crash of a Boeing B-29-65-BW Superfortress into the Yellow Sea

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1950 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
44-69866
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
MSN:
10698
YOM:
1944
Location:
Yellow Sea
All World
Country:
World
Region:
World
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew left Kadena AFB on a mission over South Korea. While cruising in the region of Seoul, the heavy bomber was attacked by the pilots of three North Korean AF (KPAFAC) Yakovlev Yak-9. The crew was able to leave the area and while over the Yellow Sea, was forced to abandon the airplane that dove into the sea and crashed. All 13 occupants were rescued. This was the first B-29 Superfortress shot down by enemy fire during the Korean War.
Probable cause:
Shot down by three North Korean fighters.

Crash of a Douglas C-54G-1-DO Skymaster near Pusan: 23 killed

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-54 Skymaster
Operator:
Registration:
45-0518
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
35971
YOM:
1945
Location:
Busan
Busan (부산)
Country:
South Korea
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 2,000 feet in reduced visibility, the four engine aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located about 64 km northwest of Pusan (Busan). All 23 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Consolidated C-10A Catalina off Guajara: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 3, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated PBY Catalina
Operator:
Registration:
6518
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
1922
YOM:
1944
Location:
Guajara
Pará
Country:
Brazil
Region:
South America
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the Furo da Laura, off Guajara. Two crew members were killed while nine others were rescued. The seaplane was lost.

Crash of a Boeing B-50A-5-BO Superfortress off McDill AFB: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Boeing B-50 Superfortress
Operator:
Registration:
46-009
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Chatham - McDill
MSN:
15729
YOM:
1947
Location:
McDill AFB (Tampa)
Florida
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On approach to McDill AFB, the aircraft caught fire. Five crew members were able to bail out before the aircraft crashed into the Tampa Bay. Seven other crew members were killed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119B Flying Boxcar in Decatur

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1950
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
48-0338
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
10320
YOM:
1948
Location:
Decatur
Alabama
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the right engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field in Decatur and was damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries among the five occupants.
Probable cause:
In flight failure of the right engine.
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