Commando 42-96566
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando
USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96566
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30228
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU764
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
July 1944 to September 1947
42-96566 - USAAF (USA)
July 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
September 1947 to February 1960
42-96566 - USAF (USA)
18 September 1947
Transferred.
Unknown date
Modified by Curtiss-Wright for USAF.
February 1960 to October 1960
42-96566 - CARL R. EVERTS (USA)
23 February 1960
Purchased from USAF by Carl R. Everts of Yonkers, NY.
[this is very early, as most USAF Commandos were retired and sold in 1965]
October 1960 to July 1963
N808Z - CLIFFORD R. EVERTS (USA)
3 October 1960
Purchased by Clifford R. Everts of Fairbanks, AK.
8 November 1960
Registration cancelled as withdrawn from use.
July 1963 to 1982
N1419Z - CLIFFORD R. EVERTS (USA)
July 1963
Reregistered. Operator unknown. [erroneously quoted as N1519Z by AB]
1971
Withdrawn from use and stored at Seattle Boeing Field, WA.
June 1981
Returned to service.
1984 to December 2000
N1419Z - EVERTS AIR FUEL (USA)
1984
Leased from Clifford R. Everts and christened “Maid of Money”.
31 August 2000
Involved in a fuel spill incident in Kenai, AK.
The Commando had just loaded 450 gallons of aviation fuel into its primary tank when Kenai Airport Fuel Service crews heard a loud popping noise and saw fuel leaking from the tank. The spill was quickly contained thanks to prompt action by the fueling crew, Everts Air employees and the fire services.
21 December 2000
Damaged beyond repair 70 km southwest of Kenai, AK in a CFIT (2/2 fatalities).
Pilot: Capt Munsoon
The Commando had delivered 2,000 gallons of fuel oil to Nondalton, AK and was heading home to Kenai via the Lake Clark Pass. At that point, the crew was forced to divert to a southern route to avoid poor weather. The wreckage was found the next day at 2,900 feet on a steep ridge line about 16 km southeast of Redoubt Volcano. Wreckage debris was scattered on both sides of the ridge, and the airplane was destroyed by the high speed impact. Inspection of the wreckage disclosed no evidence of any mechanical anomalies. The cause of the accident was attributed to the continuation of a VFR flight in marginal weather conditions.
Total airframe time 10,907 hours.
Above, right: N1419Z seen at Fairbanks, AK on 4 October 1992.
Photo credit: Peter Foster / Flickr
Left: N1419Z enjoying a sunny Alaskan summer day on the ramp at Kenai Municipal Airport, 5 June 2000.
Photo credit: Keith Burton / JetPhotos