United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) — Flight 43-47218

A Curtiss C-46D Commando transport aircraft, operated by the USAAF 2nd Combat Cargo Group, was shot down by Japanese ground fire near Langgang, China. The aircraft was performing a transport mission in the China-Burma-India theater when it was struck by anti-aircraft fire, resulting in the deaths of all six personnel on board.

Aircraft

Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando

Registration

43-47218

Phase

Cause

Souls on Board

Fatalities

Origin → Dest

Hsinching Airfield (A-1), China → Liangshan Airfield, China

Report

Investigation Summary

On February 22, 1945, a Curtiss C-46D Commando (serial number 43-47218) assigned to the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2nd Combat Cargo Group, was lost during a mission over occupied China. The aircraft was transiting the region near Langgang when it encountered intense Japanese anti-aircraft fire. The transport was struck and crashed, killing the four crew members and two passengers. This loss occurred during a period of intensified aerial supply operations supporting Chinese ground forces against Japanese positions. The 2nd Combat Cargo Group was heavily involved in 'The Hump' airbridge and tactical drops, where transport aircraft frequently operated without fighter escort at altitudes vulnerable to ground-based defenses.

Final Conclusions

The aircraft was lost due to enemy action. While conducting a transport mission in the China-Burma-India theater, the C-46 was engaged by Japanese anti-aircraft ground fire. The resulting damage caused the aircraft to crash, leading to the loss of all personnel on board.

Video Analysis

No video analysis linked for this case file yet.

Interesting Facts

01The aircraft was a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando, a heavy transport used extensively in the CBI theater.
02The incident resulted in the deaths of all 6 individuals on board, including 4 crew and 2 passengers.
03The shootdown occurred near Langgang, China, during a period of active conflict with Japanese forces.
04The aircraft belonged to the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2nd Combat Cargo Group.

Safety Actions & Advisories

Operational Route Adjustments

Following increased losses to ground fire in the CBI theater, transport units were advised to adjust flight paths and altitudes where possible to avoid known Japanese anti-aircraft concentrations, although mission requirements often necessitated flying through contested airspace.

Location

Langgang, China · 30.0500, 103.0000

APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the entered by an editor. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.