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