No fatalities

Aircraft crash near Asmara following right engine failure (N1241N)

Asmara, EritreaTakeoff (climb)

On January 26, 1949, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration N1241N) operated by Pan American World Airways - PAA was involved in an aviation accident near Asmara, Eritrea during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of power on the right engine shortly after takeoff led to a stall and subsequent crash. 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 a ditch near Asmara airport shortly after takeoff when the right engine lost power, resulting in injuries to all four crew members.

What happened

The incident occurred during the initial climb phase of flight. Shortly after leaving the ground, the flight crew extended the landing gear. Immediately following this action, the right engine experienced a complete loss of power. In response to the mechanical failure, the captain elected to return to Asmara for an emergency landing. However, before a safe touchdown could be achieved, the aircraft entered a stall and crashed into a ditch located in the vicinity of the airport.

Findings

All four crew members sustained injuries during the accident. The airframe, which was leased by the United States Air Force, suffered damage that rendered it beyond repair.

Probable cause

The loss of power on the right engine shortly after takeoff led to a stall and subsequent crash.