Incident Overview
Date: Tuesday 30 October 1945
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46A-60-CK Commando
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 43-47228
Location: near Zhijiang –
ÿ China
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 45 / Occupants: 50
Component Affected: Second engine magnetoSecond engine magneto
Category: Accident
A Curtiss Commando aircraft carrying forty-six Chinese troops took off from Shanghai for a trooping flight. The co-pilot discovered a faulty magneto on the second engine, which the captain deemed acceptable, despite the airplane failing to gain sufficient altitude and subsequently crashing into a hill.A Curtiss Commando aircraft carrying forty-six Chinese troops took off from Shanghai for a trooping flight. The co-pilot discovered a faulty magneto on the second engine, which the captain deemed acceptable, despite the airplane failing to gain sufficient altitude and subsequently crashing into a hill.
Description
The Curtiss Commando was prepared for a trooping flight to Shanghai. Forty-six Chinese troops boarded the airplane and took some ammunition with them on board. During the engine runup the co-pilot noted that the no. 2 engine magneto checks were not satisfactory. The captain however decided it was OK and also did not expect any problems since he knew the terrain very well. After takeoff the airplane apparently did not gain enough height and flew into a hill.
Primary Cause
Faulty magneto on the second engine.Faulty magneto on the second engine.Share on:
