Commando 42-101109
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-50-CU Commando
USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-101109
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30564
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1100
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
September 1944 to September 1947
42-101109 - USAAF (USA)
September 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
Unknown date
Assigned to I Troop Carrier Command, 807th AAF Base Unit based at Bergstrom AAF, TX.
8 December 1944
Received major damage at Bergstrom AFB, TX in a ground collision with parked Commando 44-77437.
Pilot: Elrino Neher Jr.
7 March 1945
Damaged at Austin Municipal, TX in an accident.
Pilot: George H. Line
September 1947 to 1959
42-101109 - USAF (USA)
18 September 1947
Transferred.
Unknown date
Modified by Curtiss-Wright for USAF.
Unknown date
Assigned to 2578th Air Force Reserve Training Center, based at Ellington AFB, TX.
11 January 1958
Assigned to the Arizona Aircraft Storage Squadron and stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
2 February 1959
Sent for reclamation at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
1959 to 1960
1964 to 1973
CC-CLA - LASA (LINEA AEREA SUD AMERICANA) (CHILE)
1964
Reregistered.
15 December 1972
Damaged beyond repair in Arica, Chile after a fire on approach (0/5 fatalities).
The Commando was operating a cargo flight from Santiago to Arica with an intermediate stop in Iquique, carrying a load of newspapers. While descending into Arica, the aircraft caught fire for unknown reason. The pilot continued the approach and was able to land safely. After touchdown, he stopped the airplane on the runway and all five occupants evacuated the cabin before the aircraft and cargo were partially destroyed by fire.
The burnt wreckage stayed at the airport at least until 1973, but was later broken up.
Above: CC-CLA taxiing at an unknown airport.
Photo credit: BAAA
Left: On 22 April 1972, months mefore its accident, CC-CLA is seen at Santiago Los Cerrillos, Chile.
Photo credit: R. A. Scholefield / Airliners.net
Last edited: 03/11/2020