31 fatalities

Mountain collision involving a twin-engine aircraft near Xichang

Xichang, ChinaTakeoff (climb)

On September 20, 1946, a Curtiss C-46 Commando operated by China National Aviation Corporation - CNAC was involved in an aviation accident near Xichang, China during takeoff. 31 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft struck the slope of Mt Lochi shortly after departing Xichang Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 31 people on board.

What happened

The incident occurred just minutes after the aircraft took off from Xichang Airport. While climbing to an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet, the twin-engine plane collided with the slope of Mt Lochi. The impact resulted in the deaths of all 31 occupants on board.

Findings

The specific registration number and the precise model of the aircraft remain unconfirmed. Records indicate uncertainty regarding whether the airframe was a C-47 or a C-46. No further details regarding mechanical failures or pilot actions have been established in the available source material.