Narrative:
The Aaxico Curtiss C-46 was flying en route near Abilene when elevator control was lost. An emergency was declared and the crew carried out a GCA assisted emergency approach to Dyess AFB using power and trim for pitch control. The aircraft touched down safely but started to porpoise. The crew applied full power and the aircraft climbed steeply to a height of 150-200 feet. The plane then stalled, pitched down and crashed on the runway at an angle exceeding 45 degrees.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was loss of elevator control because of an improperly secured bolt, a condition which was undetected because of an inadequate inspection."
Elevator issue
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 2 September 1959 |
| Time: | 17:16 |
| Type: |  Curtiss C-46F Commando |
| Operator: | Aaxico Airlines |
| Registration: | N5140B |
| MSN: | 26809 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51M1 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Abiline-Dyess AFB, TX ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Cargo |
| Departure airport: | Abilene-Dyess AFB, TX (DYS/KDYS), United States of America |
| Fort Worth-Carswell AFB, TX (FWH/KNFW), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 7002 |
The Aaxico Curtiss C-46 was flying en route near Abilene when elevator control was lost. An emergency was declared and the crew carried out a GCA assisted emergency approach to Dyess AFB using power and trim for pitch control. The aircraft touched down safely but started to porpoise. The crew applied full power and the aircraft climbed steeply to a height of 150-200 feet. The plane then stalled, pitched down and crashed on the runway at an angle exceeding 45 degrees.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The Board determines that the probable cause of this accident was loss of elevator control because of an improperly secured bolt, a condition which was undetected because of an inadequate inspection."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Elevator issue
Loss of control
Sources:
» ICAO Accident Digest, Circular 62-AN/57 (173-176)Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Abilene-Dyess AFB, TX to Fort Worth-Carswell AFB, TX as the crow flies is 228 km (142 miles).
Distance from Abilene-Dyess AFB, TX to Fort Worth-Carswell AFB, TX as the crow flies is 228 km (142 miles).
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.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation