Narrative:About 21:20 at night, the crew of a C-82A Packet transport plane noticed that the left engine had caught fire. They were about 30 miles north of Gadsden, Alabama, USA at the time. An attempt was made to divert to Gadsden Airport, but no lights were seen. The crew then turned the aircraft to open country. The cabin was filling with smoke and the three crew members bailed out.
The aircraft came down in flames at Hoke Street, Gadsden.
Sources:
»
Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research (AAIR)» The Tuscaloosa News 14 August 1948, p1
» Gadsden Times 14 August 1948, p1
Photos
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 Fort Benning-Lawson AFB, GA to Minneapolis-Wold-Chamberlain Field, MN as the crow flies is 1555 km (972 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
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.