Commando 42-96542
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando
USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96542
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30204
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU740
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
July 1944 to November 1945
42-96542 - USAAF (USA)
6 July 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
Assigned to the 1st Operational Training Unit (1 OTU), Squadron C, based at Rosecrans Field, MO.
6 February 1945
Damaged at Rosecrans Field, MO in a ground accident.
Pilot: Jack W. Cornell
November 1945 to 1949
42-96542 - RFC (RECONSTRUCTION FINANCE CORPORATION) (USA)
6 November 1945
Transferred to RFC and stored at Walnut Ridge AAF, AR.
1949 to November 1949
PP-XCP - TCA (TRANSPORTE CARGA AEREA) (BRAZIL)
1949
Purchased. [AB quotes registration to be PP-XCO]
November 1949 to 1950
PP-LDB - LOIDE AEREO NACIONAL (BRAZIL)
November 1949
Transferred as TCA changed its name to Loide Aereo Nacional.
18 January 1950
Reregistered.
1950 to September 1950
PP-LDB - TABA (TRANSPORTES AEREOS BANDEIRANTES) (BRAZIL)
1950
Probably leased from Loide Aereo Nacional.
8 September 1950
Damaged beyond repair in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil while ditching after engine problems (0/3 fatalities).
The Commando was operating a cargo flight between Vitoria and Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport, Brazil. On approach to Santos Dumont, the crew encountered hydraulic problems and was forced to lower the gear manually. Shortly after, both engines lost power and the Captain decided to divert to Galeao Airport which was closer to his position than Santos Dumont. During the final turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Guanabara Bay. All three crew members were injured while the aircraft was lost. It was determined that the loss of power on both engines was caused by the failure of the hydraulic system.
Last edited: 10/11/2019