The 1950 Myrtle Beach USAF C-46D crash was an aviation accident involving a Curtiss C-46 Commando of the United States Air Force, which occurred on Sunday, July 23, 1950, near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, resulting in the deaths of 39 people.
It was the deadliest aviation accident in South Carolina.
Aircraft.
The Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando with the aircraft registration number 44-77577 had been delivered to the United States Air Force on December 14, 1944. According to some sources, in July 1949, it underwent a conversion, which effectively changed the aircraft model to TC-46D.
Accident.
Military training maneuvers involving National Guard Air Forces from various states were being conducted in Myrtle Beach prior to the crash, and the military personnel were returning home. Among them was a group of 30 servicemen from the Tennessee Air National Guard, who were heading to Nashville (state of Tennessee). The aircraft was 44–77577, and the crew consisted of four people.
However, just a few minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed to the ground northwest of Myrtle Beach and was completely destroyed, causing a large fire at the site. All individuals on board perished.
A total of 39 bodies were recovered from the wreckage, which meant there were actually 5 more people on board than officially listed. It is possible these were military personnel who had boarded the aircraft as a form of transportation. Thus, officially, 39 people were confirmed dead in the crash. It was the deadliest aviation accident in the history of the state of South Carolina.
Investigation.
Parts of the wing were discovered a from where the fuselage fell, which immediately led to speculation of an onboard explosion. However, upon closer examination, it was determined that shortly after takeoff, the left aileron broke apart in its central section, causing it to detach. The aircraft, having climbed to 1,000–2,000 feet (300–600 m), went out of the crew's control, and the resulting excessive stress led to the detachment of both wings. Unable to continue flying, the C-46 plummeted to the ground.
References.
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