18 fatalities

Climb-out accident results in multiple fatalities and injuries (XT-822)

Qingdao, ChinaTakeoff (climb)

On July 29, 1948, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration XT-822) operated by Civil Air Transport was involved in an aviation accident near Qingdao, China during takeoff. 18 people were 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 lost control shortly after takeoff during the initial climb, crashing near the runway end. The incident resulted in 18 deaths and serious injuries to six occupants.

What happened

The incident occurred immediately following departure from the airport. While the aircraft was in the initial climb phase, ascending to an altitude of approximately 100 meters, it experienced a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground in the vicinity of the runway end.

Findings

The crash resulted in significant casualties among those on board. A total of 18 occupants were killed in the accident. Additionally, five passengers and one crew member sustained serious injuries. No specific technical or human factors contributing to the loss of control are detailed in the available source material.