Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 4 May 1949
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46F Commando
Owner/operator: Continental Charters
Location: Saint Thomas Airport (STT) –
ÿ U.S. Virgin Islands
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: Both wings of the aircraft.Both wings of the aircraft.
Category: Accident
A twin-engine aircraft attempted takeoff with a strong tailwind, resulting in a runway off-kilter and damage to the hangar and movie screen.A twin-engine aircraft attempted takeoff with a strong tailwind, resulting in a runway off-kilter and damage to the hangar and movie screen.
Description
Takeoff was attempted with a 21 mph tailwind. At about 800 feet into the takeoff the aircraft swerved to the left and ran off the side of the runway. The left wing struck a hangar and the right wing struck a movie screen.
Primary Cause
Strong tailwind conditions significantly increased the aircraft’s lift and reduced its stability, leading to a swerving maneuver and subsequent runway off-kilter.Strong tailwind conditions significantly increased the aircraft’s lift and reduced its stability, leading to a swerving maneuver and subsequent runway off-kilter.Share on:
