Incident Overview
Description
During November 1944, the USAAF 4th Combat Cargo Group was directed to Asia. A total of 100 brand new C-46 transport aircraft were ferried from Baer Field, Fort Wayne, Indiana, to West Palm Beach, Puerto Rico, Georgetown, Belem, Ascension Island, Accra and Kano, Nigeria. Nearing Kano a problem was encountered with one of the engines and the pilot, shut the engine down and the crew radioed ahead for an emergency landing. During the approach a British Douglas Dakota cut ahead of the C-46 and the pilot tried to increase power on the remaining engine to lift it up. The remaining engine quit and the aircraft pancaked onto the runway. It skidded along the runway and then veered off into the vegetation alongside the runway. As soon as the plane stopped, all the hatches were opened and the passengers and crew evacuated the plane. When the C-46 hit the runway, one of the main gear wheels tore off, flew back and tore a hole in the fuselage near the base of the stabilizer.
Source of Information
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp, http://www.comcar.org/4th_ComCar/13th_CCS_so316.htm, http://www.comcar.org/4th_ComCar/13th_CCS_Crew_Stories/gh_semus_down_memory_lane.htmhttp://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asp, http://www.comcar.org/4th_ComCar/13th_CCS_so316.htm, http://www.comcar.org/4th_ComCar/13th_CCS_Crew_Stories/gh_semus_down_memory_lane.htmPrimary Cause
Engine failure during an emergency landing.Engine failure during an emergency landing.Share on:
