Commando 42-96537
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando
USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96537
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30199
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU735
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
July 1944 to October 1944
42-96537 - USAAF (USA)
3 July 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
11 August 1944
Assigned to ATC India-China Division, 1337th AAF Base Unit, Sookerating, Assam, India.
1 October 1944
Damaged beyond repair in Luliang, Yunnan, China in an accident after takeoff due to a mechanical failure (3/4 fatalities).
Pilot: 1st Lt. Edward T. Dwyer Jr
On takeoff from Luliang, the Commando banked and crashed on the runway edge. Three crew members were killed while the fourth occupant was seriously injured. According to the USAAF, the loss of control on takeoff was caused by an engine failure on rotation.
3 October 1944
Condemned for salvage, “washout”.