On November 26, 1960, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration B-130) operated by Air America was involved in an aviation accident near Phônsavan, Laos in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft became uncontrollable due to malfunctions in the elevator control system during an emergency landing attempt. 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.
An aircraft crash in the Plain of Jars resulted in two fatalities and one injury following a loss of control during an emergency descent.
What happened
During an attempt to perform an emergency landing in the Plain of Jars, the aircraft experienced significant mechanical issues involving the elevator controls. As the crew attempted to manage the flight, the plane became uncontrollable and descended into a crash site located near Phônsavan.
The incident resulted in two fatalities among the occupants. A third person on board sustained injuries during the impact.
Findings
The flight crew encountered elevator control problems prior to the loss of control.
The aircraft's descent became unmanageable following the onset of these control difficulties.
Probable cause
The aircraft became uncontrollable due to malfunctions in the elevator control system during an emergency landing attempt.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…