Commando 42-61058

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-41-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-61058

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 26933

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU573

FATE: Written off

  April 1944 to May 1944

  42-61058 - USAAF (USA)

25 April 1944

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

26 May 1944

Damaged beyond repair in Natal, Brazil in a takeoff accident (2/5 fatalities).

Pilot: 1^st Lt Leslie J. Coffee (pictured, deceased 5 days later)

After takeoff from Natal Parnamirim Airport, while climbing, the Commando stalled and crashed in a field 2 km past the runway end.
Both pilots were killed while all three passengers were injured. The aircraft was being ferried from the USA to India.

27 May 1944

Assigned to ATC India-China Wing (date is assignment date).

Condemned for salvage.