No fatalities

In-Flight Fire Forces Emergency Landing in Assam (41-12300)

India, IndiaFlight

On May 17, 1943, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 41-12300) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near India, India in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from an in-flight fire of undetermined origin. 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 caught fire during a return flight to base in Assam, prompting the pilot to execute an emergency landing in a field where all occupants escaped without injury.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was en route back to their home base in Assam. During this phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced a sudden fire. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the pilot initiated an emergency procedure and landed the airplane in a nearby field. Despite the intensity of the blaze that followed, all individuals on board successfully evacuated the wreckage. The aircraft was ultimately destroyed by the flames, although no fatalities or injuries were reported among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations into the event concluded that the fire originated while the plane was airborne. However, the specific source of the ignition could not be determined, leading to a classification of the cause as unknown.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from an in-flight fire of undetermined origin.