Narrative:
The left aileron detached after takeoff. The aircraft lost control at an altitude of about 1000-2000 feet. Both wings failed and the airplane crashed.
Investigation revealed that the centre section of the left aileron had torn loose, causing the entire aileron to separate.
Loss of control
| Status: | |
| Date: | Sunday 23 July 1950 |
| Time: | 10:22 |
| Type: |  Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando |
| Operator: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Registration: | 44-77577 |
| MSN: | 32973 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 35 / Occupants: 35 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 39 / Occupants: 39 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 3 km (1.9 mls) W of Myrtle Beach, SC ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Initial climb (ICL) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Myrtle Beach AFB, SC (MYR/KMYR), United States of America |
| Nashville Metropolitan Airport, TN (BNA/KBNA), United States of America |
The left aileron detached after takeoff. The aircraft lost control at an altitude of about 1000-2000 feet. Both wings failed and the airplane crashed.
Investigation revealed that the centre section of the left aileron had torn loose, causing the entire aileron to separate.
Classification:
Aileron issueLoss of control
Sources:
» Military aviation disasters : significant losses since 1908 / D. Gero, 1999Photos
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 Myrtle Beach AFB, SC to Nashville Metropolitan Airport, TN as the crow flies is 752 km (470 miles).
Distance from Myrtle Beach AFB, SC to Nashville Metropolitan Airport, TN as the crow flies is 752 km (470 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.
languages: 
United States of America
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Curtiss C-46
- 3341 built
- 716th loss
- 137th fatal accident
- 6th worst accident (at the time)
- 14th worst accident (currently)
United States of America- 8th worst accident (at the time)
- 85th worst accident (currently)
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