Investigation Summary
The accident was initiated by a fire in the left main landing gear housing shortly after departure from Bagé. The pilot-in-command misidentified the source, believing the left engine (number 1) was on fire. Consequently, he followed the 'Regulations for C-46' for an engine fire, feathering the propeller and returning for an emergency landing. Because the fire was not producing significant smoke at the time, the crew believed the situation was under control. However, the fire continued to burn intensely within the wheel well, compromising the wing's structural integrity. On final approach, the landing gear mechanism failed to respond to the lowering command due to heat damage. Fearing a belly landing, the pilot applied full power to go around. As the aircraft passed over the intersection of runways 05 and 23, the weakened left wing spar failed under the increased load, and the wing detached from the fuselage.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded the primary cause was a fire in the undercarriage housing which led to the in-flight separation of the left wing. A significant contributing factor was an error in judgement by the pilot, who failed to correctly identify the location and intensity of the fire. The pilot believed that by following the 'Regulations for C-46' regarding engine fires, the threat had been neutralized, unaware that the fire was continuing to burn within the wheel well and compromise the aircraft's structural integrity.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Landing Gear Housing
The compartment where the landing gear retracts; in this instance, it was the site of a non-impact fire that eventually compromised the wing spar.
Wing Structure
The left wing suffered a catastrophic structural failure (separation) due to intense heat weakening the attachment points or spar.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando, registration PP-VCF.
- 02The fire was located in the undercarriage housing, not the engine as the pilot suspected.
- 03The structural failure occurred during a go-around maneuver on final approach.
- 04All 40 people on board (35 passengers and 5 crew) perished in the accident.
- 05The aircraft was manufactured in 1944 (MSN 30283).
Safety Actions & Advisories
Pilot Assessment Training
The investigation highlighted the need for better assessment of fire sources to ensure that emergency procedures applied are appropriate for the actual location of the fire.
Location
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.