Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 28 September 1943
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46 Commando
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 41-5170
Location: near Lovelock, NV –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 15
Component Affected: Right EngineRight Engine
Category: Accident
A C-46 aircraft was flying at 14,000 feet when the right engine failed, resulting in a loss of fuel pressure and inability to restart. The pilot was unable to feather the propeller and lost altitude. Subsequently, the left engine overheated, causing the aircraft to lose altitude over mountainous terrain. All crew members bailed out, with one fatality due to a failed parachute. The aircraft landed safely in a valley field.A C-46 aircraft was flying at 14,000 feet when the right engine failed, resulting in a loss of fuel pressure and inability to restart. The pilot was unable to feather the propeller and lost altitude. Subsequently, the left engine overheated, causing the aircraft to lose altitude over mountainous terrain. All crew members bailed out, with one fatality due to a failed parachute. The aircraft landed safely in a valley field.
Description
En route at 14000 feet the right engine failed with a loss of fuel pressure. The pilot was unable to restart the engine and could not feather the propeller. They were now unable to maintain altitude and ten passengers were ordered to bail out. The left engine then overheated. The pilot could no long maintain altitude over the mountainous terrain. The C-46 was flying just below 8000 feet in an area with mountains rising to 9000 feet. The remaining crew members bailed out as well, but one of them was killed in the attempt when his parachute failed to open. The airplane continued on autopilot and made a successful belly landing in a valley field.
Source of Information
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asphttp://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.aspPrimary Cause
Engine failure of the right engine.Engine failure of the right engine.Share on:
