Curtiss C-46 Commando

Everts Air Cargo

The pilot reported that, following a precautionary shutdown of the No. 2 engine, he diverted to an alternate airport that was closer than the original destination. During the landing in tailwind conditions, the airplane touched down "a little fast." The pilot added that, as the brakes faded from continuous use, the airplane was unable to stop, and it overran the end of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Buffalo Airways

The Buffalo Airways Curtiss C-46A (C-GTXW) was operating as flight 525 from Yellowknife, NT (YZF) to Norman Wells, NT (YVQ). While en route, approximately 140 nautical miles southeast of Norman Wells at 6500 feet above sea level, the crew noticed a drop in the right engine oil quantity indicator in conjunction with a propeller overspeed. The propeller pitch was adjusted to control the overspeed however, oil quantity indication continued to drop rapidly. A visual confirmation of the right engine nacelle confirmed that oil was escaping via the engine breather vent at an abnormally high rate. The right propeller speed became uncontrollable and the crew completed the "Prop overspeed drill". However, the propeller did not feather as selected. Several additional attempts were made to feather the propeller before it eventually feathered. The engine was secured and the shutdown checklist completed. The crew elected to divert to Tulita, NT (ZFN), but quickly determined that the descent rate would not permit that as an option. The only other option for diversion was Déline, NT (YWJ) where weather was reported at half a mile visibility and 300 feet ceiling. An emergency was declared with Déline radio. BFL525 was able to land at Déline however, the landing gear was not selected down to prevent further loss of airspeed resulting in a belly landing approximately midpoint of runway 08. The aircraft continued off the end of the runway coming to a stop approximately 700 feet beyond the threshold. The crew evacuated the aircraft sustaining no injuries however, the aircraft was destroyed.

Sky Team Bolivia

The crew departed Santa Cruz-Viru Viru Airport at 0807LT on a cargo flight to Cobija-E. Beltram Airport. Shortly after takeoff from runway 16, the crew informed ATC he was returning but did not give any details about his situation. On final approach, the aircraft adopted a high-nose attitude, climbed then stalled and crashed 200 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. The passenger was seriously injured and all three crew members were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.

Everts Air Cargo

The flight crew was returning from off-loading their cargo at a remote site on the west side of a mountain range. The return flight would provide an option of following a lower mountain pass, or flying over the mountainous terrain. Witnesses related that prior to the flight's departure, the marginal VFR weather conditions began to deteriorate very rapidly, with winds in excess of 50 knots, lowering ceilings, rain, and turbulence. An airmet, valid during the time of the accident, forecast high winds, mountain obscuration, and turbulence. The wreckage of the airplane was located near the crest of a 2,900 feet msl ridge. Wreckage debris was scattered on both sides of the ridge, and the airplane was destroyed by the high speed impact. Inspection of the wreckage disclosed no evidence any mechanical anomalies. A radar track analysis of a target airplane believed to be the accident airplane, depicted a track on a direct route of flight over the mountains from the departure airport towards the destination airport. Altitude data was not received from the target airplane's Mode C transponder, and therefore was extrapolated from the less reliable radar plot information. The maximum altitude plotted was approximately 10,800 feet, prior to a descent as the airplane neared the west side of the range. Mountains along the route of flight exceed 10,000 feet msl.

Rolando Medina Marmolejo

The aircraft, registered to a private individual, departed Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport on a charter flight to Mitú, carrying 17 passengers and two pilots while the aircraft was certified to carry 13 passengers maximum. The crew filed an flight plan with only six people on board. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the right engine caught fire. The crew activated the fire extinguishing system but as both bottles were empty, the fire could not be contained. The captain initiated a right hand turn to return to the airport when the aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames, two minutes after takeoff. Both pilots and eight passengers were killed while nine other people were injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Transportes Aéreos Virgen del Carmen

While on a cargo flight, the crew encountered technical problems and was forced to attempt an emergency landing somewhere in east Bolivia. The aircraft crash landed and came to rest in trees, broken in two. There were no casualties. The exact date of the accident remains unknown, somewhere in 1997.

Private American

The aircraft was probably involved in an illegal flight when it crashed and burnt while trying to land in a remote area located near Huetamo de Núñez. No one was found in the wreckage and it was later confirmed that the registration N1442V was false.

Cooperativa Interregional de Colombia

On approach to Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport runway 04, the crew encountered poor weather conditions (heavy rain falls) and a visibility limited to 1,000 metres. After passing the missed approach point, the crew was unable to establish a visual contact with the runway and initiated a go-around procedure. Shortly later, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the San Jeronimo Mountain Range, about 5 km north of runway 22 threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 9 occupants were killed.

Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas

Upon landing at Puerto Inírida Airport, the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft came to rest in its belly and was damaged beyond repair. All three crew members escaped uninjured.

Frigorifico Santa Rita

Shortly after takeoff from San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, while in initial climb, the left engine caught fire. The crew shut down the engine and feathered its propeller but was unable to extinguish the fire. Unable to return, the crew attempted an emergency landing in a field located near Aurora. The aircraft came to rest, bursting into flames. All three crew members escaped uninjured.

AVESCA - Aerovias Especiales de Carga

After takeoff from Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport, while climbing, the pilot declared an emergency after one of the engine failed. He was cleared to return to the airport and completed a circuit. On final, the airplane stalled and crashed few hundred metres short of runway. Eight passengers were seriously injured and 11 other occupants, among them both pilots, were killed.

Frigorifico Santa Rita

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight to La Paz, carrying two passengers, three crew members and a load of meat. During the takeoff roll on a wet runway, the left engine lost power. The captain decided to continue and started the rotation. Just after liftoff, the airplane banked left, causing the left wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the aircraft crashed 500 metres from the runway end, bursting into flames. All five occupants were killed.

Transporte Aéreos Universal

Upon landing at Cochabamba-Jorge Wilstermann Airport, the left main gear collapsed. The aircraft veered off runway and came to rest. All six occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas

The twin engine aircraft was ferried from Medellín to Bogotá after repairs were conducted at Medellín Airport following a gear problems last September 23. On approach to Bogotá-El Dorado Airport, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 20 km north of the airport. All eight occupants were killed.

LANSA Colombia - Lineas Aéreas Nacionales

The aircraft was engaged in an illegal contraband flight, carrying four passengers, two pilots and a load of 3 tons of cocaine. While approaching Quirigua, the aircraft struck the ground and crashed few hundred metres from the landing strip, bursting into flames. All six occupants were killed. It was reported by the Guatemalan Authorities that the crew failed to file any flight plan and entered the Guatemalan airspace without permission. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was falsely registered N500 as its real registration was HK-750.

Coral Colombia - Coronado Aerolineas

After takeoff from Villavicencio-La Vanguardia Airport, while climbing, the right engine oversped and the crew was cleared to return. On approach, the crew realized he could not make it and decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field, slid for few dozen metres and came to rest in a ditch, bursting into flames. A passenger was killed while other occupants were injured.

Transportes Aéreos Eldorado

En route from Estancia La Esperanza to La Paz, while cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, the right engine failed. The crew reduced his altitude and diverted to Beni to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed and slid for few dozen meters before coming to rest. All five occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Empresa Transportes Aéreos - ETA

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Colorado located about 100 km northwest of La Paz. All nine occupants were killed.

OASIS - Orient Air System %26 Integrated Services

Few minutes after takeoff from Roxas City Airport, the crew encountered engine problems and lost control of the airplane that crashed in the Sibuyan Sea, about 22 km off the north coast of the Panay Island. Both pilots were killed.

Transportes Aéreos San Miguel - TASMI

En route, the crew encountered technical problems and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed in a swampy area located 55 km northeast of San Ignacio de Moxos. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Sabeni - Servicios Aéreos Beni

After takeoff from Beni Airport, while climbing, the crew reported technical problems when control was lost. The aircraft lost altitude and crashed in a mountainous area located few km from Beni. The wreckage was found four days later. Both pilots were killed.

Transportes Aéreos San Martin

After takeoff from runway 18 at San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, while climbing, the crew reported the failure of the left engine and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the crew made a ground loop at the end of the runway and the aircraft came to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Private Colombian

After takeoff from Barranquilla-Ernesto Cortissoz Airport, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to return. After landing, the airplane rolled for about 100 meters then took off again. It reached a height of 20 meters then stalled and crashed on the runway. Three crew members and a passenger were killed while two other occupants were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. It was reported that all four crew members were former Colombian Air Force pilots. According to authorities, no flight plan had been filed. The flight was named 'suspsicous' because several firearms were found in the wreckage along with 50 plastic drums that are known to be used in production of narcotics.

Transportes Aéreos Skorpio

Shortly after takeoff from San Borja-Capitán Germán Quiroga Guardia Airport, while climbing, one of the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crash landed on a road located by the airport. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Transportes Aéreos Bolivar - TAB

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from El Salvador to La Paz, carrying five people and a load of 5 tons of meat. While descending to La Paz-El Alto Airport at an altitude of 17,000 feet, the left engine failed. The crew was unable to feather the propeller and decided to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a rocky area located 9 km east from El Alto Airport. Upon landing, the aircraft lost its undercarriage and engines and came to rest. All five occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Nenana Fuel Company

Just after touchdown the aircraft rolled over a frost heave on the runway surface and began veering to the right. The pilot applied left brake and added power to the right engine but the aircraft continued going right until the right wing struck a hill adjacent to the right side of the runway. The aircraft came to rest in a ditch 110° to the right of the landing runway heading. Examination of the right main landing gear tire revealed a large jagged opening in the sidewall which extended into the tread area of the tire. This opening matched one of the sides of a rock found in the vicinity of the frost heave. The aircraft maintenance logbooks were reviewed and found to have no record of compliance with airworthiness directives. Both pilots escaped uninjured.

Ilford Riverton Airways

After landing at Shamattawa Airport while on a cargo flight, the crew was taxiing to the apron when the aircraft went off course. The right main gear struck a drainage ditch and was torn off. Both occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aeropesca Colombia

The aircraft departed Medellín-Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport on a cargo flight to Barranquilla-Soledad, carrying six passengers and three crew members. En route, the aircraft was hijacked by four people who wanted to be flown on a remote airstrip located in the Guajira Peninsula. Four to five tons of weapons were loaded on board the airplane that departed and flew to the region of Florencia. The crew was forced to land in the Orteguaza River, about 7 km east of Florencia. The airplane came to rest in shallow waters, all weapons were offloaded and the aircraft was abandoned. The crew were released by the hijackers on November 10, 1981.

Linea Aérea de Transporte Interior Sud Americano - LATISA

The airplane was engaged in a cargo flight from Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins, carrying six tons of various goods. After takeoff from Cochrane Airport, while initial climb, the airplane rolled to the right, lost height and crashed on a small hill located 3 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed.

BWI Leasing

The aircraft had been flown to Norman's Cay Airport, Bahamas. The pilot was performing touch-and-goes at the airport when the aircraft touched down short. He execute a go-around, but clipped an earthen berm, tearing the left landing gear loose from its housing. The no.1 propeller blades contacted the runway. The aircraft banked left and gained little altitude. It cleared the runway and came down in shallow water. The wreck is still present off Norman's Cay. The complete story on: https://www.outislandlifebahamas.com/2017/03/the-plane-wreck-of-normans-cay/

Transportes Aéreos Bolivar - TAB

Crashed shortly after takeoff from La Paz-El Alto Airport for unknown reasons. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The exact date of the accident remains unknown, somewhere in October 1980.

Aerolineas Argo

While approaching Riohacha-Almirante Padilla Airport, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea few hundred meters off shore. All six occupants were rescued while the airplane was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the flight was illegal as the airplane and its crew were involved in a contraband mission.

Lineas Aéreas de Nicaragua - LANICA

On approach to Bonanza-San Pedro Airfield, the airplane was too low and struck a wooden pile located near the runway threshold. The airplane crash landed and came to rest on the runway. There were no casualties.

Transaéreos Frimo - Frigorifico Movima

While approaching La Paz-El Alto Airport, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located 15 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all three crew members were killed. For unknown reasons, the crew was completing the approach at an insufficient altitude.

Lambair - Lamb Airways

After takeoff from Churchill Airport, the crew encountered engine problems. The oil pressure dropped on the left engine while the oil temperature increased. The crew elected to return but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing in a rocky area located about one km short of runway 15. The aircraft came to rest and was damaged beyond repair while both occupants escaped with minor injuries. It was later reported that the total weight of the aircraft was well above the max gross weight at takeoff.

Miami Air Lease

While in cruising flight, the crew encountered engine problems and decided to reduce his altitude and to ditch the aircraft off San Andros. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Rich International Airways

Shortly after takeoff from Cockburn Town Airport runway 11, while in initial climb, one of the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing and ditched the aircraft in a lagoon, about 1,6 km from the runway end. The airplane came to rest in shallow water and was damaged beyond repair. All three occupants escaped uninjured.

Aircraft Line Maintenance

After being bought by a company based in Miami, the aircraft was transferred from Buenos Aires to Miami on a delivery flight via Santiago de Chile and Panama City. En route to Santiago, while cruising at an altitude of 5,000 meters, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Tupungato (6,750 meters high) located southwest of Mendoza, Argentina. The wreckage was found two years later by a Chilean rescue team. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all five occupants were killed.

Aeropesca Colombia

While cruising in VFR mode in adverse weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of Mt Páramo de Laura (3,543 meters high) located south of Sogamoso, Boyacá. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 18 occupants were killed.

DR %26 M

The crew departed Miami-Opa Locka Airport on a local training flight. Few minutes after takeoff, both engines failed. The pilot-in-command ditched the aircraft few hundred yards offshore and the airplane sank and was lost. Two of three occupants were rescued while the instructor could not be located after departing the accident site.

North Coast Air Services

Few minutes after takeoff from Thompson Airport, the crew encountered engine problems and elected to return. The airplane lost speed and height and the crew was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane struck trees and crashed 24 km southeast of Thompson. Both pilots were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Quarterwins Aviation

While in normal cruise on a cargo flight from Roseau to Christiansted, the left engine lost hydraulic pressure. The crew shut down the engine and feathered its propeller when the right engine misfired shortly later. In such conditions, the captain reduced his altitude and ditched the aircraft off Goyave. All four occupants were quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

Aeronorte Colombia - Aerovias del Norte

Shortly after takeoff, the left engine caught fire and failed. The airplane lost speed and height then crashed in flames near the runway end. all three occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was destroyed.

Inter Air Cargo Services

The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan with an intermediate stop in Miami, carrying three Enstrom helicopters, one passenger and two pilots. Shortly after a night takeoff from Hollywood Airport, while climbing, the crew informed ATC about problems with the right engine that lost power. The captain decided to ditch the airplane that crashed into the sea about 300 yards offshore. While all three occupants were rescued, the aircraft was lost.

Aerolineas Argo

Shortly after takeoff from San Juan-Isla Grande Airport, while climbing, the right engine failed. The crew could not feather the propeller and control was lost. The airplane lost speed and height and crashed into the sea near the airport. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

Servicios Aéreos Bolivianos - SAB

The aircraft suffered an engine failure in flight and the crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a wooded area. Both pilots were injured and the airplane was written off.

Aerosucre Colombia

Few minutes after takeoff from Oranjestad-Reina Beatrix Airport, while climbing, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both crew members was found.

Lineas Aéreas de Nicaragua - LANICA

Upon touchdown, the right main gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest and was damaged beyond repair. There were no casualties.

Transportes Aéreos Benianos - TABSA

After takeoff from Trinidad-Jorge Heinrich Arauz Airport, while climbing, the crew reported the failure of the right engine and was cleared to return. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in an open field located near the airport. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while all three crew members escaped with minor injuries.

Rich International Airways

The airplane was completing a cargo flight from St Petersburg to Aguadilla, carrying two pilots and a load of 9,000 lbs of dynamite. While approaching Aguadilla, both engines lost power and stopped almost simultaneously. The crew elected to ditch the aircraft that crashed into the sea about 800 meters offshore. The airplane sank by 50 feet of water and its wreckage was not recovered. Both pilots, slightly injured, were evacuated.