On March 31, 1946, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration CA6) operated by Central Air Transport - China was involved in an aviation accident near Huaihua, China in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of spatial orientation due to poor weather conditions during the enroute phase. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During an enroute flight, the crew lost orientation due to poor weather conditions and ejected from the aircraft. The plane crashed into a field and was destroyed, but all three occupants survived without injury.
What happened
While operating under enroute conditions, the flight crew encountered deteriorating weather that led to a loss of spatial orientation. Faced with these challenging circumstances, all three individuals on board made the decision to abandon the aircraft. They successfully ejected from the plane, which subsequently impacted the ground in a field. The airframe was destroyed upon impact, but all three occupants emerged from the incident unhurt.
Findings
The primary factor leading to the emergency ejection was the crew's loss of orientation caused by poor weather conditions during the enroute phase of flight.
Probable cause
Loss of spatial orientation due to poor weather conditions during the enroute phase.
What happened in the 31 Mar 1946 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Huaihua, China?
During an enroute flight, the crew lost orientation due to poor weather conditions and ejected from the aircraft. The plane crashed into a field and was destroyed, but all three occupants survived without injury.
Were there any fatalities in the 31 Mar 1946 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 31 Mar 1946 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration CA6, operated by Central Air Transport - China, at Huaihua, China.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Loss of spatial orientation due to poor weather conditions during the enroute phase.
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…