Commando 44-77557

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77557

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32953

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1489

FATE: Written off

  December 1944 to July 1945

  44-77557 - USAAF (USA)

9 December 1944

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

Assigned to Air Transport Command based at Baer Field, IN.

20 December 1944

Assigned to I Troop Carrier Command, 813^th AAF Base Unit, Squadron B, Sedalia AAF, MO.

Used for combat crew training.

16 July 1945

Damaged beyond repair at Sedalia AAF, MO in a takeoff accident (2/2 fatalities). [MACR 15541]

Crew:
1^st Lt. Edward B. Ziegler, Pilot
Flt. Off. Thomas D. Smith, Copilot

The Commando was operating a training flight from Sedalia AAF, MO with two pilots on board. Shortly after takeoff, control was lost and the aircraft crashed after stalling from a height of 500 feet. The Commando was destroyed and both pilots were killed. The elevator gust lock was found left in place.

17 July 1945

Salvaged at Sedalia AAF, MO.