Accident description
Last updated: 20 May 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 18 FEB 1944 |
| Time: | 01:00 |
| Type: | Curtiss C-46A-10-CU Commando |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 41-12339 |
| C/n / msn: | 26466 |
| First flight: | |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 5 |
| Airplane damage: | Written off |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (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.
Events:
Sources:
» Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 2: July 1943-July 1944 / Anthony J. Mireles
Photos
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.
