4 fatalities

C-47 Crash During Initial Climb from Abadan Airport (42-96544)

Abadan, IranTakeoff (climb)

On February 18, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 42-96544) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Abadan, Iran during takeoff. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by the right rudder tab becoming jammed in a nose-down position after rotation. 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 military transport aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Abadan Airport, killing all four crew members due to a jammed rudder tab.

What happened

The incident occurred during the initial climb phase following departure from Abadan Airport. The flight was operating on behalf of the 1266th Army Air Force Base Unit, North African Division, Air Transport Command. Shortly after rotation, the aircraft experienced a sudden nose-down pitch attitude. This loss of control resulted in an immediate crash into the terrain. All four individuals on board were killed in the accident.

Findings

Investigations determined that the primary mechanical failure involved the right rudder tab. The component became stuck in a position that forced the aircraft's nose downward. The specific reason for this jamming mechanism was not identified in the available records.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the right rudder tab becoming jammed in a nose-down position after rotation.