The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 42-60943

Aircraft Identification

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-60943

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 26818

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU458

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  February 1944 to October 1945

  42-60943 - USAAF (USA)


11 February 1944

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

10 March 1944

Assigned to ATC Central African Wing.

23 July 1945

Assigned to Morrison Field, FL.

  October 1945 to 1953

  42-60943 - RFC (RECONSTRUCTION FINANCE CORPORATION) (USA)


24 October 1945

Transferred to RFC, stored at Bush Field, GA.

  1953 to 1958

  N68823 - LETOURNEAU TECHNICAL INSTITUTE (USA)


1953

Purchased from RFC and probably used as a ground instruction airframe.

  1958

  N68823 - INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS INC. (USA)


1958

Purchased and refurbished.

  1958 to February 1959

  N68823 - SOUTHERN CROSS AIRWAYS (USA)


1958

Leased from International Airports Inc.

18 February 1959

Damaged beyond repair in the Chilean Andes in a forced landing following an engine failure (5/5 fatalities).

The Commando was operating a cargo flight from Arica, Chile to Puerto Suarez, Bolivia, with a 1,000 lbs overload. Enroute, while overflying the Andes Mountains, the right engine lost power. As the crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude, they decided to attempt an emergency landing in a comparatively open, uphill area near Belen, Chile. The plane slid through several meter-high stone walls and burst into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all five occupants were killed. The exact cause of the failure of the right engine failure could not be determined with certainty. However, it was noted that the exhaust valve of the No.10 cylinder failed from its piston beating against the spark plugs and cylinder head. This probably ruptured the intake port, and reduced manifold pressure to atmospheric pressure.