Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 31 March 1945
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 42-61018
Location: Chabua, Assam State –
ÿ India
Phase of Flight: Initial climb
Status: Destroyed
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: Left wing of the commandos aircraftLeft wing of the commandos aircraft
Category: Accident
A commandos aircraft experienced a fuel leak from its left wing, leading to an explosion mid-flight. Pilot John L. Cain was killed, and two other individuals, R. W. Franklin G. E. Follett, were identified by their date of death.A commandos aircraft experienced a fuel leak from its left wing, leading to an explosion mid-flight. Pilot John L. Cain was killed, and two other individuals, R. W. Franklin G. E. Follett, were identified by their date of death.
Description
As the Commando was taking off from Chabua, fuel was observed pouring out from the left wing. The aircraft exploded in midair shortly thereafter. Pilot John L. Cain was killed. Two other victims could be identified by their date of death: R. W. Franklin G. E. Follett
Source of Information
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp, https://curtisscommando.e-monsite.com/pages/aircraft/s-n-42-60942/commando-42-61018.html, https://zschina.nanjing.gov.cn/ztzl/bwgjl/202409/t20240902_4755537.htmlhttp://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp, https://curtisscommando.e-monsite.com/pages/aircraft/s-n-42-60942/commando-42-61018.html, https://zschina.nanjing.gov.cn/ztzl/bwgjl/202409/t20240902_4755537.htmlPrimary Cause
Fuel leak from the left wing of the commandos aircraft.Fuel leak from the left wing of the commandos aircraft.Share on:
