Incident Overview
A C-46 transport aircraft, part of a formation of 17 similar planes, crashed during a training mission at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield. The aircraft, which was the ninth to depart, lost control during initial climb and crashed onto the apron. The impact destroyed the C-46 and killed all four crew members. Two other aircraft on the apron were damaged: a Fairchild C-82A Packet (registration 44-23017) and a Ryan L-17B Navion (registration 48-1064). Occupants of these two aircraft sustained injuries.
Mission Details
The flight was a combined training operation involving multiple aircraft. The C-46 took off from Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield and was following a sequence in the formation. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft went out of control.
Aircraft and Crew
The destroyed aircraft was a C-46. Its four crew members were fatally injured. The two damaged aircraft had personnel aboard who were injured, though the exact number of injured individuals is not specified in the source.
Aftermath
The crash resulted in the complete destruction of the C-46 and damage to two other military aircraft. The incident occurred on the apron at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.