Narrative:
The C-46 transport plane departed on a high altitude training flight from Reno AAF to Long Beach. Poor weather conditions forced the crew to return to Reno. On the way back to Reno an explosion occurred in the starboard wing. Both wings separated and the airplane crashed out of control.
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 22 June 1945 |
| Time: | 23:37 |
| Type: |  Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 42-107339 |
| MSN: | 27026 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 3 km (1.9 mls) SE of Gold Run, Placer County, CA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Reno AAB, NV, United States of America |
| Long Beach Municipal Airport, CA (LGB/KLGB), United States of America |
The C-46 transport plane departed on a high altitude training flight from Reno AAF to Long Beach. Poor weather conditions forced the crew to return to Reno. On the way back to Reno an explosion occurred in the starboard wing. Both wings separated and the airplane crashed out of control.
Sources:
» Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945, Vol. 3: August 1944-December 1945 / Anthony J. MirelesPhotos
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.
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