The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 43-46995

Aircraft Identification

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-5-CK Commando

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 43-46995

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 66

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CK43

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  September 1944 to April 1945

  43-46995 - USAAF (USA)


22 September 1944

Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Louisville, KY.

31 October 1944

Assigned to ATC North African Division.

31 October 1944

Assigned to ATC India-China Division, 1306th AAF Base Unit, Karachi, Sindh, India. [same day indeed]

16 April 1945

Damaged beyond repair in Karachi, Sindh, India in a takeoff accident (at least 2 fatalities).

Crew:
Maj. Charles W. Gatschet, Pilot (killed)
T/Sgt. Clarence J. Franczok, Engineer (killed)
... and probably others

Shortly after takeoff from Karachi, during the initial climb, the Commando stalled and crashed in the Malir district of Karachi. Several occupants, maybe all, were killed.

17 April 1945

Condemned for salvage, washout.

Last edited: 15/12/2020