1 fatality

Takeoff Crash Results in One Fatality and Three Injuries (44-78306)

Tsingching, TaiwanTakeoff (climb)

On July 21, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 44-78306) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Tsingching, Taiwan during takeoff. One person was killed. 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 during the initial climb phase following takeoff due to an undetermined cause. The accident resulted in one fatality among the crew and injuries to three other individuals.

What happened

The incident occurred during the takeoff phase of flight. The aircraft departed the runway but subsequently crashed into the terrain or structures near the departure point. The specific reason for the loss of control or structural failure remains unknown, as no definitive mechanical or environmental trigger has been identified in the available records.

Findings

The accident resulted in significant casualties within the cabin. One crew member lost their life in the crash. Additionally, three other individuals sustained injuries requiring medical attention. Due to the limited information regarding the root cause, the investigation did not yield a specific technical explanation for why the aircraft crashed immediately after leaving the ground.