Chongqing – Shanghai
Flight / Schedule
Chongqing – Shanghai
Aircraft
Curtiss C-46 CommandoRegistration
115
Date
December 25, 1946 at 10:00 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Shanghai-Longhua Shanghai
Region
Asia • China
Coordinates
31.1767°, 121.4485°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On December 25, 1946 at 10:00 PM, Chongqing – Shanghai experienced a crash involving Curtiss C-46 Commando, operated by China National Aviation Corporation - CNAC, with the event recorded near Shanghai-Longhua Shanghai.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
36 people were known to be on board, 31 fatalities were recorded, 5 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 86.1%.
Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 33, passenger fatalities: 30, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. The descent to Shanghai-Longhua Airport was performed in poor visibility due to thick fog. A CNAC DC-3 already crashed in similar conditions two hours earlier. Apparently in an attempt to establish a visual contact with the ground, the crew reduced his altitude when the aircraft crashed in a prairie located few km short of runway. A crew member and thirty passengers were killed while five other occupants were seriously injured.
Aircraft reference details include registration 115.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 31.1767°, 121.4485°.
Fatalities
Total
31
Crew
1
Passengers
30
Other
0
Crash Summary
The descent to Shanghai-Longhua Airport was performed in poor visibility due to thick fog. A CNAC DC-3 already crashed in similar conditions two hours earlier. Apparently in an attempt to establish a visual contact with the ground, the crew reduced his altitude when the aircraft crashed in a prairie located few km short of runway. A crew member and thirty passengers were killed while five other occupants were seriously injured.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
3
Passengers On Board
33
Estimated Survivors
5
Fatality Rate
86.1%
Known people on board: 36
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Chongqing – Shanghai
Flight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Asia • China
Aircraft Details
Aircraft
Curtiss C-46 CommandoRegistration
115
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