1 fatality

Aircraft accident during takeoff resulting in one fatality (41-24661)

Sookerating, IndiaTakeoff (climb)

On December 23, 1943, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 41-24661) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Sookerating, India during takeoff. One person was 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

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff under unknown circumstances, killing one passenger and injuring two crew members.

What happened

The incident occurred during the takeoff phase of flight. The aircraft crashed into the terrain or ground immediately after leaving the runway. The specific location of the accident is not specified in the available records.

There were three individuals on board at the time of the crash. Two members of the crew sustained injuries as a result of the impact. A third occupant, identified as 1st Lt Robert M. Smith, did not survive the accident and was killed.

Findings

The official investigation concluded that the circumstances leading to the crash remained unknown. No specific mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental factor was definitively identified in the provided source material to explain why the aircraft crashed during takeoff.