Narrative:
Because of the 1948-1949 Arab-Israeli conflict the USA had enforced an arms embargo on a.o. Israel. Thus, the Panamanian airline LAPSA (Lineas Aéreas de Panama) was used as a cover for the acquisition of ten C-46 and three L-049 Constellations, by Israeli agents in the USA during late 1947/early 1948. Five C-46's left the U.S. for Panama, making an intermediate stop at Mexico City. On takeoff from Mexico City, one of the C-46's failed to lift off the runway and crashed.
Co-pilot Ernest Glen King (30) killed. Pilot William Gerson (34) survived, but died of injuries following night.
» machal.org.il
» El Siglo de Torreón 25 April 1948, p9
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 23 April 1948 |
| Type: |  Curtiss C-46 Commando |
| Operator: | Heyl Ha'Avir (Israeli Air Force) |
| Registration: | RX-... |
| MSN: | |
| First flight: | |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Mexico City ( Mexico)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Mexico City International Airport (MEX/MMMX), Mexico |
| ? |
Because of the 1948-1949 Arab-Israeli conflict the USA had enforced an arms embargo on a.o. Israel. Thus, the Panamanian airline LAPSA (Lineas Aéreas de Panama) was used as a cover for the acquisition of ten C-46 and three L-049 Constellations, by Israeli agents in the USA during late 1947/early 1948. Five C-46's left the U.S. for Panama, making an intermediate stop at Mexico City. On takeoff from Mexico City, one of the C-46's failed to lift off the runway and crashed.
Co-pilot Ernest Glen King (30) killed. Pilot William Gerson (34) survived, but died of injuries following night.
Sources:
» Aeroflight, Real 101 Sqn website» machal.org.il
» El Siglo de Torreón 25 April 1948, p9
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