1 fatality

In-Flight Emergency Leads to Crew Ejection and One Fatality (41-12420)

Lahe, MyanmarFlight

On August 2, 1943, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 41-12420) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Lahe, Myanmar in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was attributed to an engine failure that compromised the aircraft's ability to maintain safe flight parameters. 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

Following an engine failure that prevented altitude maintenance, all occupants evacuated the aircraft. One crew member died while the remaining 23 individuals were uninjured.

What happened

During the en route phase of flight, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical issue involving one of its engines. The resulting loss of performance meant the flight crew could not maintain the prescribed altitude for safe continued operation. In response to this emergency situation, all occupants on board made the decision to abandon the airframe. The group executed an ejection or bailout procedure to evacuate the vehicle.

While 23 of the individuals involved survived the incident without injury, one member of the crew lost their life during the event. The specific cause of death for this individual remains unknown based on the available data. Following the evacuation, the aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause

The accident was attributed to an engine failure that compromised the aircraft's ability to maintain safe flight parameters.