Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 15 August 1945
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46D Commando
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 44-78221
Location: 5 km from Myitkyina –
ÿ Myanmar
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Component Affected: Aircraft control systems, navigation instruments, and overall flight stability.Aircraft control systems, navigation instruments, and overall flight stability.
Category: Accident
A C-46 aircraft carrying empty 55-gallon gas drums descended below minimum altitude during instrument flight, resulting in a series of collisions with communications lines, railroad tracks, and terrain.A C-46 aircraft carrying empty 55-gallon gas drums descended below minimum altitude during instrument flight, resulting in a series of collisions with communications lines, railroad tracks, and terrain.
Description
The C-46 was transporting empty 55 gallon gas drums from Ledo to Myitkyina when it descended below minimum altitude in instrument flight conditions. The aircraft struck communications lines, hit railroad tracks, and cartwheeled across rice fields and through bushes about three miles from the airstrip.
Source of Information
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63970804/john-mansfield-masonhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63970804/john-mansfield-masonPrimary Cause
Loss of control due to instrument flight conditions and inadequate altitude awareness.Loss of control due to instrument flight conditions and inadequate altitude awareness.Share on:
