The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

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Registration cancelled as withdrawn from use.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Withdrawn from use and stored at Seattle Boeing Field, WA.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.

  1982 to 1984

  N1419Z - NENANA FUEL COMPANY (USA)


1982

Leased from Clifford R. Everts.

  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