Last edit 11-2-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–30 AP. “30 Die in Crash of U.S. Bound Plane.” San Antonio Sunday Light, TX. 6-2-1946, p.1.

–30 ASN. Accident description. USAAF Douglas C-54E-5-DO. Off Amalfi Italy, 1 Jun 1946.

–30 Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-001 to 44-30910). 10-15-2011 rev.

Aviation Safety Network:

“Date: 01 Jun 1946

“Type: Douglas C-54E-5-DO

“Operator: United States Army Air Force…

“Registration: 44-9078….

“Fatalities: 30 / Occupants: 38….

“Location: off Amalfi (Italy)….

“Nature: Military

“Departure airport: Cairo (unknown airport) Egypt

“Destination airport: Roma-Ciampino Airport…Italy

“Narrative: Lost control and crashed after cockpit fire….

“2^nd worst accident involving a Douglas DC-4 (at the time)….”

(Aviation Safety Network. Accident description. United States Army Air Force Douglas C-54E-5-DO. Off Amalfi Italy, 1 Jun 1946.)

Baugher: “Douglas C-54E-10-DO Skymaster….9078 (c/n 27304) lost control and crashed off Amalfi, Italy after cockpit fire Jun 1, 1946. 30 of 38 onboard killed.” (Baugher. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-001 to 44-30910). 10-15-2011 revision.)

Newspaper

June 2, AP: “Salerno, Italy, June 1. – Thirty persons aboard a C-54 were reported killed today when the big four-engined army transport en route to the United States from India crashed in flames in the Gulf of Salerno. An official announcement disclosed eight of the military passengers and crewmen parachuted out of the burning plane safely. Bodies of eight of the dead were recovered soon after the crash.

“The plane, carrying a total of 38 passengers and crewmen, got out of control when fire suddenly broke out in the pilot’s cockpit. The burning aircraft climbed crazily, stalled and then went spinning into the gulf on Italy’s west coast….

“Lieutenant Keyes, reconstructing the disaster after his rescue, declared ‘Fire suddenly broke out in the pilot’s cockpit. The blaze spread so rapidly we were unable to do very much. The plane was put on the automatic pilot and we tried to fight the fire while eight of the passengers put on parachutes. The plane went into a climb and, after stalling, went into a tight spin.’….” (Associated Press. “30 Die in Crash of U.S. Bound Plane.” San Antonio Sunday Light, TX. 6-2-1946, p.1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “30 Die in Crash of U.S. Bound Plane.” San Antonio Sunday Light, TX. 6-2-1946, p.1. Accessed 11-2-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-light-jun-02-1946-p-1/

Aviation Safety Network. Accident description. United States Army Air Force Douglas C-54E-5-DO. Off Amalfi Italy, 1 Jun 1946. At: http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19460601-0

Baugher, Joseph F. 1944 USAAF Serial Numbers (44-001 to 44-30910). Oct 15, 2011 revision. Accessed 12-21-2011 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1944_1.html

1946 — June 1, USAAF C-54 cockpit fire, loss-of-control and crash off Amalfi, Italy — 30