Narrative:
The C-46 departed McClellan Field at 00:45 on a flight to Reno. Some 15 minutes after takeoff arcing wiring ignited hydraulic fluid. The fire burned though oxygen lines and de-icer lines. All crew members bailed out, but two died when exiting the plane.
Loss of control
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 18 February 1944 |
| Time: | 01:00 |
| Type: |  Curtiss C-46A-10-CU Commando |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 41-12339 |
| MSN: | 26466 |
| First flight: | 1943 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | American River Canyon, CA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Sacramento-McClellan AFB, CA (MCC/KMCC), United States of America |
| Reno AAB, NV, United States of America |
The C-46 departed McClellan Field at 00:45 on a flight to Reno. Some 15 minutes after takeoff arcing wiring ignited hydraulic fluid. The fire burned though oxygen lines and de-icer lines. All crew members bailed out, but two died when exiting the plane.
Classification:
Inflight fireLoss of control
Sources:
» Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 2: July 1943-July 1944 / Anthony J. MirelesPhotos
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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