No fatalities

Aircraft Crash into Sea After Takeoff from Finschhafen (44-77317)

Finschhafen, Papua New GuineaTakeoff (climb)

On September 30, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 44-77317) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. 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 into the sea shortly after departing Finschhafen Airport and sank, though all occupants successfully returned to shore safely.

What happened

The incident occurred immediately following the departure phase from Finschhafen Airport. The aircraft encountered difficulties shortly after lifting off and subsequently impacted the water surface. Upon entering the sea, the airframe sank and was completely lost. Despite the total loss of the aircraft, all individuals on board were able to evacuate and reach the shoreline without sustaining injuries.

Findings

The source material does not provide specific technical details regarding the mechanical or environmental factors that led to the crash. However, it confirms that the event resulted in a complete loss of the airframe while ensuring the safety of everyone aboard.