No fatalities

Aircraft crashes after in-flight engine failure (41-12430)

Yunnan, ChinaFlight

On August 19, 1943, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 41-12430) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Yunnan, China in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by an in-flight engine failure that resulted in a loss of control. 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

An aircraft suffered an engine failure while en route, forcing the crew to evacuate. The plane crashed into the ground, but all four occupants survived without injury.

What happened

During an en route flight phase, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical issue when one of its engines failed. This loss of power rendered the airframe uncontrollable, prompting the crew to initiate an emergency ejection procedure. Following their departure from the cockpit, the unmanned machine entered an uncontrolled dive and impacted the terrain. Despite the severity of the crash, all four members of the flight crew were recovered with no reported injuries.

Findings

The official investigation identified the primary factor behind the incident as a mechanical malfunction. Specifically, the loss of thrust due to the engine failure was cited as the direct cause that led to the loss of control and subsequent ground impact.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by an in-flight engine failure that resulted in a loss of control.