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C-46 crash near Chittagong following potential mid-air collision (42-101234)

Chittagong, BangladeshFlight

On March 21, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 42-101234) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Chittagong, Bangladesh in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Possible inflight collision with a USAAF Stinson L-5 Sentinel. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-25Data APIEditorial standards

A C-46 aircraft crashed 64 km east of Chittagong, resulting in the deaths of both crew members. The incident may have been caused by an inflight collision with a USAAF Stinson L-5 Sentinel.

What happened

The C-46 came down approximately 64 kilometers to the east of Chittagong. The event resulted in the loss of life for both crew members on board. Reports indicate that the crash may have been triggered by an inflight collision with a United States Army Air Forces Stinson L-5 Sentinel, which carried the registration 44-16815. While the specific sequence of events leading to the impact is not fully detailed in available records, the proximity to the other aircraft suggests a mid-air encounter as a primary factor.

Findings

The exact circumstances surrounding the occurrence remain unknown. However, the potential interaction with the Stinson L-5 Sentinel is noted as a possible contributing element to the fatal outcome.

Probable cause

Possible inflight collision with a USAAF Stinson L-5 Sentinel

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Mar 1945 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident near Chittagong, Bangladesh?

A C-46 aircraft crashed 64 km east of Chittagong, resulting in the deaths of both crew members. The incident may have been caused by an inflight collision with a USAAF Stinson L-5 Sentinel.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Mar 1945 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Mar 1945 involved a Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration 42-101234, operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947), at Chittagong, Bangladesh.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Possible inflight collision with a USAAF Stinson L-5 Sentinel

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