1952 — Oct 16, USAF C-46D transport crash, Sea of Japan off Gangwon-do, So. Korea– 25

–25 Aviation Safety Network. USAF Curtiss C-46D crash into sea after takeoff, 10-16-1952.
–25 Gero. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 53.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network:….
“Type: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
….
“Registration: 44-77538
“MSN: 32934
“First flight: 1944
….
“Total: Fatalities: 25 / Occupants: 25
….
“Location: off Kangnung Air Base (South Korea)
….
“Departure airport: Kangnung Air Base…South Korea
“Destination airport: Pohang Air Base…South Korea
“Narrative: Crashed into sea after takeoff.”
(Aviation Safety Network. USAF Curtiss C-46D crash into sea after takeoff, 10-16-1952.)

Gero:
“Date: 16 October 1952 (time unknown)
“Location: Off Kangnung, Kangwon-do [Gangwon-do?], South Korea
“Operator: US Air Force
“Aircraft type: Curtiss-Wright C-46D (44-77538)

“The twin-engine transport crashed in the Sea of Japan with 25 American servicemen aboard, including a crew of four. A massive search failed to locate any trace of the aircraft, and only two bodies were found, one, which had washed ashore, being identified as a passenger; both victims wore life vests. There were no survivors from the crash, the circumstances of which were unknown. Having taken off from a military base shortly before 01:00 local time, on an internal South Korean flight that should have lasted about 40 minutes, the C-46 was last observed by the control tower operator as it climbed into the early morning darkness. The weather along the route was clear, but the winds were believed to have been strong at higher altitudes.” (Gero. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 53.)

Newspaper

Oct 16, UP: “Tokyo (UP) – An Air Force C-46 with 25 servicemen aboard disappeared today on a short 150-mile flight over mountainous South Korea. The Air Force in Tokyo said more than 20 planes from the 5th Air Force searched the rugged area where the twin-engined plane might have crashed, but found no wreckage or other clue to the fate of the missing aircraft. Aboard the C-46 courier plane from the 315th Air Division (combat cargo) were 21 passengers and four crewmen. All were service personnel.

“The plane has not been heard from since it left a base on the east coast a short distance below the 38th Parallel. Its destination was another air base down the coast. The flight normally would have taken 40 minutes.

“The Air Force said the weather at both bases was good with visibility about 3,500 feet. However, there are numerous mountain peaks in eastern Korea which tower more than 3,500 feet.” (United Press. “Air Force Transport Plane Reported Lost.” Statesville Daily Record, NC. 10-16-1952, p.1.)

Sources

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation. USAF Curtiss C-46D crash into sea after takeoff, 10-16-1952. Accessed 6-4-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19521016-1

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.

United Press. “Air Force Transport Plane Reported Lost.” Statesville Daily Record, NC. 10-16-1952, p. 1. Accessed 6-4-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/statesville-daily-record-oct-16-1952-p-17/