2 fatalities

Training Aircraft Crash Near Sedalia AFB Kills Two (43-47184)

Slater, United States of AmericaFlight

On March 22, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 43-47184) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Slater, United States of America in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of aircraft control during a local training mission. 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 training aircraft crashed and burned in a field five miles north of Slater after losing control during a local mission from Sedalia Air Force Base, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

What happened

During a routine local training exercise departing from Sedalia AFB, the flight crew experienced a loss of aircraft control. The incident occurred while the plane was operating in the vicinity of the base. Following the loss of control, the aircraft descended and impacted a field situated approximately five miles north of Slater. Upon impact, the airframe caught fire and burned completely.

The accident resulted in two fatalities. Both individuals on board were killed in the crash. The source material identifies the crew members as Captain Roger J. Bernard and Major Thomas L. White, though they are referred to here collectively as the crew to maintain neutral reporting standards regarding private individuals.

Findings

The available records indicate that the primary sequence of events involved the loss of control during the training mission. No specific mechanical failures or external factors are detailed in the provided source text beyond the immediate loss of control leading to the crash and subsequent fire.

Probable cause

Loss of aircraft control during a local training mission.