Commando 44-78013
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando
USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-78013
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 33409
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1945
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
March 1945 to April 1946
44-78013 - USAAF (USA)
8 March 1945
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
4 April 1945
Departed the USA for Karachi, Sindh, India.
Unknown date to May 1955
HK-808 - LACE (LINEAS AEREAS COLOMBIANAS EXPRESAS) (COLOMBIA)
Unknown date
Purchased. [a broker was probably involved]
May 1955 to June 1955
XA-LID - TIGRES VOLADORES (MEXICO)
May 1955
Leased from LACE for a period of 30 days during the maintenance of Tigres Voladores other Commando. [which one? apparently purchased from LACE]
Used for the carriage of laborers domestically in Mexico
18 June 1955
Damaged beyond repair at Leon, Mexico in a takeoff accident (some fatalities).
Captain: P. A. Alfredo Rivero
The Commando was operating a domestic passenger flight from Leon, Mexico with two pilots and 36 to 42 passengers on board. Despite the fact the lease agreement mandated the presence on board of Captain Kiss, LACE's representative, this flight was undertaken by Tigres Voladores without advising him. Furthermore, the aircraft was only insured for cargo flights. While taking off from Leon, an engine failed and the Commando crashed into trees and caught fire. Sources quote 2 to 18 fatalities and 24 injured.
The insurance did not compensate LACE for the loss of the airplane, arguing the insurance policy did covered neither the carriage of passenger nor the operation of the airplane by pilots not holding a Colombian license. LACE filed a law suit against the insurance company, but lost on appeal on 30 June 1958.
Last edited: 12/01/2024