Status:	Definitief
Datum:	22 MEI 1953
Tijd:	04:13
Type:	Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando
Vloog voor:	Resort Airlines
Gehuurd van:	United States Air Force - USAF
Registratie:	N1669M
Constructienummer:	22536
Bouwjaar:
Aantal vlieguren:	6867
Motoren:	2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-75
Bemanning:	slachtoffers: 2 / inzittenden: 2
Passagiers:	slachtoffers: 0 / inzittenden: 0
Totaal:	slachtoffers: 2 / inzittenden: 2
Schade:	Afgeschreven
Gevolgen:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Plaats:	18 km (11.3 mijl) NE of Des Moines, IA (Verenigde Staten)
Fase:	Kruisvlucht (ENR)
Soort vlucht:	Ferry
Vliegveld van vertrek:	Cheyenne Airport, WY (CYS/KCYS), Verenigde Staten
Vliegveld van aankomst:	Chicago-O'Hare International Airport, IL (ORD/KORD), Verenigde Staten

Beschrijving:
The aircraft arrived at Cheyenne, Wyoming at 00:38 on a Civil Air Movement flight from New York International Airport. The aircraft departed Cheyenne at 01:32, on an instrument flight plan to Chicago at 7,000 feet. The C-46 progressed uneventfully until it reached Omaha. The pilot contacted Omaha INSAC and requested a change of altitude to 3,000 feet. This was denied because another flight proceeded at 2,600 feet between Des Moines and Omaha. The aircraft flew then into a severe thunderstorm in the vicinity of Des Moines. The aircraft lost control and subsequently the right wing panel failed at the attach angles to the center section due to a strong downward force which exceeded the design strength of the wing. The wing panel then struck the tail, causing it to disintegrate.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "Separation of the right aileron tab motor from its support bracket due to loss of its outboard trunnion while the aircraft was in the severe turbulence of a thunderstorm. These conditions resulted in a tendency to roll erratically, and in conjunction with the extreme turbulence, caused loss of control and subsequent overloading of the wing to the point of failure."

Bronnen:
» CAB File No. 1-0034
» ICAO Accident Digest Circular 39-AN/34 (80-83)