Curtiss C-46 accident near Caranavi

The Curtiss C-46 accident near Caranavi occurred on 22 January 1962. On that day, a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando aircraft, which was to operate a cargo flight, crashed after a failed takeoff attempt. All six occupants on board the aircraft died in the accident.

Accident sequence

On 22 January 1962 at 14:35 the crew boarded the aircraft. There had been a delay before takeoff, because problems had occurred with the propeller governor of the right engine (No. 2). These were rectified and after a successful engine test the takeoff could be carried out.

The takeoff roll began at 15:16. After about 190 metres the crew noticed that the aircraft was drifting to the left, which is why they initially corrected slightly to the right. The right main landing gear then ran off the runway and into a drainage ditch. Despite this incident the pilots continued the takeoff. After 496 metres the right wing struck a clay wall, which tore off the right wingtip. The pilot nevertheless continued the takeoff roll and rotated the aircraft after 580 metres.

About 707 metres after the start of the takeoff roll, the propeller of the right engine struck a tree about 15 centimetres in diameter. The aircraft assumed a bank angle to the right of up to 70 degrees. Finally the right wing collided with trees about 15 metres tall, damaging the wing so badly that the aircraft ultimately fell to the ground and struck it nose first.

Cause of the accident

The exact cause of the disaster was determined in the final report of the accident investigation. Pilot error was found to be the probable cause of the crash. The captain had not aborted the takeoff roll despite the already evident, severe damage to the right wing and the fact that the aircraft had veered off course. Particularly after the right wingtip was torn off and the collision with the clay wall, the pilot should have aborted the takeoff.