The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 41-12339

Aircraft Identification

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-10-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 41-12339

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 26466

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU106

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  April 1943 to February 1944

  41-12339 - USAAF (USA)


15 April 1943

Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.

Assigned to the 2nd Operational Training Unit (2 OTU) at Homestead AAF, FL.

Late 1943

Likely assigned to the 3rd Operational Training Unit (3 OTU) at Reno AAF, NV.

18 February 1944

Crashed in the American River Canyon, CA after crew bailed out due to a cockpit fire (2/5 fatalities).

The Commando departed McClellan Field, CA at 00:45 on a flight to Reno AAF, NV. Some 15 minutes after takeoff, arcing wiring ignited hydraulic fluid. The fire burned though oxygen lines and de-icer lines. All crew members bailed out, but two died when exiting the plane. The aircraft crashed in flames near the American River, south of the airbase.

19 February 1944

Surveyed, condemned for salvage.