Commando 42-3669

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-35-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-3669

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 26802

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU442

FATE: Written off

  February 1944 to February 1945

  42-3669 - USAAF (USA)

28 February 1944

Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY, but retained in Buffalo for testing.

Unknown date

Assigned to ATC North Atlantic Wing.

10 November 1944

Assigned to 553^rd AAF Base Unit, Romulus AAF, MI, probably as part of the ATC Ferrying Division, 3^rd Ferrying Group.

26 January 1945

Damaged beyond repair near Belle Center, OH in an in-flight fire (3/3 fatalities).

The Commando operated a cargo night flight from Buffalo, NY to Patterson Field, OH carrying 8,000 pounds of cargo. A fire started in the area of the fuel crossfeed valve, APU and gasoline heater. The floor structure weakened due to the intense fire and collapsed. The airplane descended on fire and crashed into the trees 100 km before its destination.

Crew:
Cpt James W. Hartzog, Pilot
2^nd Lt Francis F. Munchrath, Copilot (pictured)
M/Sgt Jacob Oswalt

28 January 1945

Withdrawn from use as Class 26.

5 February 1945

Surveyed.

9 February 1945

Reclamation completed.