Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 20 February 1944
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46A-25-CU Commando
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 41-24724
Location: 16 km NNE of Mangnung –
ÿ India
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Aircraft Communications and Navigation System (ACNS)Aircraft Communications and Navigation System (ACNS)
Category: Accident
An aircraft en route from Kunming, China to Misamari, India, experienced severe weather conditions, resulting in poor radio contact and a loss of communication. The pilot reported being at approximately 8,000 feet and was subsequently struck by lightning, leading to a potential crash.An aircraft en route from Kunming, China to Misamari, India, experienced severe weather conditions, resulting in poor radio contact and a loss of communication. The pilot reported being at approximately 8,000 feet and was subsequently struck by lightning, leading to a potential crash.
Description
The aircraft was enroute from Kunming, China to Misamari, India. The pilot was apparently lost in extremely bad weather. Radio contact was very poor. Last radio contact: 724: “We are at 8,000 feet can you see my lights? Can you see my lights! We are still in the rain.” TE: “Negative on the lights.” 724: “TC. TC. There’s that mountain again. (30 second interval) Oh, we may hit it yet!. (Noise like lightning a few seconds later or possible crash of the airplane) The ground bearings were erroneous and the aircraft was not located.
Source of Information
http://www.miarecoveries.org/reports.htmlhttp://www.miarecoveries.org/reports.htmlPrimary Cause
Severe weather conditions, specifically poor radio communication and the potential for lightning strikes, caused the aircraft to lose contact with air traffic control.Severe weather conditions, specifically poor radio communication and the potential for lightning strikes, caused the aircraft to lose contact with air traffic control.Share on:
