Narrative:The USMC Curtiss Commando departed Cherry Point MCAS, NC (NK) on a flight to Moffett Field NAS, CA (NUQ) with an enroute stop at Oklahoma City-Tinker AFB, OK (TIK). The airplane carried a high-priority cargo of explosives.
Both engines of the plane lost power during a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) to Tinker AFB. The Curtiss belly landed short of the airport. During the forced landing the no. 1 engine was torn off. A fire erupted, setting off the explosives in the cargo hold.
Classification:
All engine powerloss
Forced landing outside airport
Sources:
» Explosive-laden plane blown up after landing (Lima News, 1950-08-05)
»
US Navy and US Marine Corps Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers--1911 to Present / Joe Baugher
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 Cherry Point MCAS, NC to Oklahoma City-Tinker AFB, OK as the crow flies is 1849 km (1156 miles).
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.