No fatalities

En Route Engine Failure Forces Emergency Landing Near Kunming (42-3595)

Kunming, ChinaFlight

On October 9, 1944, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 42-3595) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Kunming, China in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was attributed to an engine failure that occurred during the en route phase of flight. 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

Aircraft suffered an engine failure during cruise, requiring an emergency landing near Kunming where the airframe was destroyed but all four crew members survived without injury.

What happened

During a scheduled flight, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical issue while en route. The specific nature of the malfunction involved engine failure, which compromised the safety of the flight and necessitated immediate action by the flight deck.

In response to the loss of power, the crew initiated emergency procedures. They reduced the altitude of the aircraft to manage the situation safely and selected a suitable location for an unscheduled stop. The team executed an emergency landing in the vicinity of Kunming. Upon impact or during the subsequent ground operations, the airframe sustained severe structural damage that rendered it beyond repair.

Despite the total loss of the aircraft, the outcome for the personnel on board was positive. All four members of the crew were evacuated from the wreckage and reported as unhurt. No fatalities were recorded in this incident.

Probable cause

The accident was attributed to an engine failure that occurred during the en route phase of flight.