Commando 42-96533

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96533

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30195

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU731

FATE: Written off

  June 1944 to September 1947

  42-96533 - USAAF (USA)

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June 1944

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

  September 1947 to March 1965

  42-96533 - USAF (USA)

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18 September 1947

Transferred.

Unknown date

Assigned to 2242^nd Air Force Reserve Training Center, based at Selfridge AFB, MI.

2 December 1957

Assigned to the Arizona Aircraft Storage Squadron and stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.

31 March 1964

Sent for reclamation at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.

  March 1965 to May 1969

  N91360 - C-46 PARTS INC. (USA)

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2 March 1965

Purchased less engines from USAF. Total airframe time 6,155 hours.

  May 1969 to 1970

  N91360 - AMERICAN HOLDINGS INC. (USA)

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May 1969

Purchased.

  1970 to 1973

  HI-164 - DOMAIRE (DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)

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1970

Purchased. [AB then has the aircraft returning briefly to C-46 Parts Inc. in 1972]

 

Right: HI-164 in Miami, FL with Domaire.
Photo credit: Bruce Drum / airlinersgallery.smugmug.com

  1973

  CP-1052 - SERVICIOS AEREOS CURTISS (BOLIVIA)

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1973

Purchased.

  1973 to February 1974

  CP-1052 - SAVCO (BOLIVIA)

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1973

Purchased.

23 February 1974

Damaged beyond repair 8 km southwest of San Francisco de Moxos, Bolivia [San Francisco, Province of Moxos, Department of Beni] in an accident due to weather (7/7 fatalities). [quoted on 22 February 1974 by ASN]

The Commando was operating a cargo flight between Trinidad and Oruro, Bolivia. An electrical storm with severe turbulence probably caused the failure of ropes securing the cargo. The center of gravity shifted, causing a loss of control. The wreckage was found two days later.