Commando 44-77706

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77706

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 33102

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1638

FATE: Written off

  January 1945 to July 1945

  44-77699 - USAAF (USA)

17 January 1945

Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.

Assigned to I Troop Carrier Command based at Baer Field, IN.

Unknown date

Assigned to I Troop Carrier Command, 802^nd AAFBU, Sedalia AAF, MO, Squadron A.

27 April 1945

Damaged beyond repair 40 km south of Claude, TX (11/11 fatalities).

Occupants:
1^st Lt Edward T. Kelly, Pilot
Cpt Brown G. Middleton Jr.
2^nd Lt Ernest F. Crow Jr.
2^nd Lt Paul Julian Entres
2^nd Lt Forrest M. Faulkner
2^nd Lt Richard A. Gildersleeve
2^nd Lt Robert A. Gray
F/O Thomas G. Anderson
F/O Hollis K. SmithSgt Henry V. Curran
Cpl Edward J. Shields Jr.

The Commando was operating a personnel ferry flight between Sedalia AAF, MO and Brooks Field, TX with five crew members and six passengers on board. Take off was made under VFR, but the flight subsequently encountered instrument weather conditions enroute. The pilot decided to continue on instruments at an altitude of 6,000 ft. The airplane descended until it crashed in a canyon. The reasons for the crash as well as the identities of the crew members amongst the occupants are uncertain.

1 May 1945

Surveyed.

9 May 1945

Reclamation completed.