No fatalities

Aircraft crash near Chabua Air Force Base following engine failure (43-47165)

Chabua AFB (Dibrugarh), IndiaTakeoff (climb)

On April 3, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 43-47165) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Chabua AFB (Dibrugarh), India during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by an engine failure during the climb phase. 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 crashed shortly after takeoff due to an engine malfunction. The crew ejected safely, resulting in no injuries despite the total loss of the airframe.

What happened

The incident occurred during the initial climb phase immediately following departure. A technical malfunction affected one of the engines, prompting the flight crew to initiate an emergency ejection procedure. The pilots abandoned the machine, which subsequently impacted the ground approximately 24 km southeast of Chabua Air Force Base. The airframe was destroyed upon impact with the terrain.

Findings

Official investigations identified the primary contributing factor as a mechanical issue with the propulsion system. Despite the catastrophic loss of the vehicle, both members of the crew survived the ejection and remained uninjured.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by an engine failure during the climb phase.