No fatalities

Emergency Landing in Marsh Field Results in Total Loss (39550)

China, ChinaFlight

On April 5, 1948, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 39550) operated by United States Marine Corps (USMC) was involved in an aviation accident near China, China in flight. 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

Aircraft made an emergency landing in a marsh field for unknown reasons, resulting in total loss with no injuries.

What happened

The flight crew initiated an emergency landing due to unspecified circumstances. Upon touchdown, the aircraft came to rest within a marsh field. The impact and subsequent conditions caused damage that rendered the airframe beyond repair.

Findings

Investigations into this incident have not identified specific mechanical failures or external hazards as the primary trigger for the emergency. The record indicates that the decision to land was made for an unknown reason, though the outcome resulted in a total loss of the aircraft. Notably, there were no casualties reported among those on board.