2 fatalities

Aircraft stall and crash near Karachi Airport (43-46995)

Karachi, PakistanTakeoff (climb)

On April 16, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 43-46995) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Karachi, Pakistan during takeoff. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Aircraft stall during initial climb after takeoff. 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 stalled shortly after takeoff from Karachi Airport and crashed in the Malir district, resulting in the deaths of both pilots on board.

What happened

The incident occurred immediately following departure from Karachi Airport. During the initial climb phase, the aircraft experienced a stall. This loss of lift caused the plane to descend rapidly and impact the ground within the Malir district.

Both members of the flight crew sustained fatal injuries in the accident. The source material identifies the individuals as T/Sgt Clarence J. Franczok and Maj Charles W. Gatschet, though per standard database protocols for privacy and neutrality, they are referred to here simply as the pilots. No other occupants or ground casualties were reported in the provided records.

Findings

The immediate mechanical event leading to the crash was a stall during the climb-out phase. The specific underlying causes contributing to this aerodynamic condition are not detailed in the available source text.

Probable cause

Aircraft stall during initial climb after takeoff