Incident Overview

Date: Monday 22 January 1962
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando
Owner/operator: Transa‚reos de la Corporaci¢n Boliviana de Fomento
Registration Number: CP-541
Location: Caranavi Airport – ÿ Bolivia
Phase of Flight: Take off
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6
Component Affected: Right wingRight wing
Category: Accident
A Curtiss C-46 CP-541 experienced a significant incident during takeoff due to a series of events. The plane veered left and then right, striking a wall and subsequently crashing nose-down. The takeoff run was interrupted by a propeller failure and a tree strike, leading to a right bank and subsequent crash.A Curtiss C-46 CP-541 experienced a significant incident during takeoff due to a series of events. The plane veered left and then right, striking a wall and subsequently crashing nose-down. The takeoff run was interrupted by a propeller failure and a tree strike, leading to a right bank and subsequent crash.

Description

At 14:35 Curtiss C-46 CP-541 was boarded. The takeoff had to be postponed due to some problems and associated repair of the propeller governor of no. 2 engine. A preflight engine test was carried out, which was satisfactory. After rolling 190 m during takeoff the plane veered left and then gradually to the right where it rang along the edge. The right wing tip was well outside the boundary of the 26,5 m wide runway. The right main gear went off the runway and into a drainage. At the 496 m point of the takeoff run the right wingtip struck an adobe wall and was detached from the wing. The takeoff run was continued and at the 580 m point the plane became airborne. The no. 2 engine propeller then cut a tree (6in in diameter) located at the 707 m point. The Curtiss continued to be airborne with a right bank increasing to between 65 and 70 degrees. The right wing then struck some trees 15 m in height resulting in the aircraft crashing nose down into the ground. PROBABLE CAUSE: “Pilot error in failing to discontinue takeoff, even after the right wing tip hit the well and broke off, while the aircraft was on the ground during the takeoff run.”

Primary Cause

Pilot error in failing to discontinue takeoff, even after the right wing tip hit the well and broke off, while the aircraft was on the ground during the takeoff run.Pilot error in failing to discontinue takeoff, even after the right wing tip hit the well and broke off, while the aircraft was on the ground during the takeoff run.

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