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4 fatalities

Night Parachute Exercise Crash at Fort Campbell AFB (49-0134)

Hendersonville, United States of AmericaFlight

On June 28, 1950, a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (registration 49-0134) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Hendersonville, United States of America in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine fire. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a night parachute exercise, an aircraft suffered a right engine fire. 26 paratroopers bailed out safely, but the four crew members were killed when the aircraft crashed in a field.

Incident Overview and Background An aircraft departed Fort Campbell AFB in the evening as part of a combined night parachuting exercise involving 31 similar aircraft. During the flight, the aircraft's right engine caught fire, prompting the 26 paratroopers on board to abandon the aircraft and bail out. All 26 paratroopers were later found alive. The crew decided to return to Fort Campbell, but the aircraft crashed in a field. All four crew members were killed in the crash. The official investigation identified the engine fire as the probable cause of the accident. The event highlighted the risks associated with night military exercises and the importance of emergency procedures.

In-flight fire & smoke

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