No fatalities

1952-02-01: Curtiss C-46 Commando (44-78373) — United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) — Tachikawa AFB (Tokyo), Japan

Tachikawa AFB (Tokyo), JapanLanding (descent or approach)

On February 1, 1952, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 44-78373) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Tachikawa AFB (Tokyo), Japan during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An engine fire occurred during flight, necessitating an emergency diversion and resulting in a belly landing. 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 1781255119Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft performing an emergency diversion to Tachikawa Air Base resulted in a hull loss after a belly landing caused by an in-flight engine fire.

What happened

During the flight, the crew encountered an active fire within one of the engines. In response to this emergency, the flight crew initiated a diversion to Tachikawa Air Base to attempt an unplanned landing.

Upon arrival at the airfield, the aircraft performed a belly landing. The impact and subsequent sequence of events caused the plane to come to rest while engulfed in flames. While the incident resulted in zero fatalities or injuries, the engine fire led to the total destruction of the aircraft, which was subsequently declared a write-off.

Findings

Official investigations into the event concluded that the primary factor leading to the emergency landing and subsequent damage to the airframe was an engine fire occurring during the flight phase.

Probable cause

An engine fire occurred during flight, necessitating an emergency diversion and resulting in a belly landing.