Commando 43-46995

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

  September 1944 to April 1945

  43-46995 - USAAF (USA)

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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, 1306^th 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.