Historical Note: The text within this post is an excerpt from the original Army Air Corps or USAAF accident report that was filed shortly after the aircraft disappeared.  These archival reports were typically the Missing Air Crew Report (MACR) or Report of Major Accident.  The reports frequently stated the crash site was believed to be “unrecoverable” or “all but impossible to recover”, due to the very remote and rugged terrain where the aircraft crashed.  Employing the services of local tribal guides, I was able to reach and document this crash site.  Without exception, all the sites were very difficult to reach, often involving many days of trekking from the nearest road and multiple river crossings.

C-46A #42-96815
Found 22 Oct 2025

by

C-46A #42-96815

This aircraft was on temporary duty at Sookerating, India.  It was from the Fourth Combat Cargo Group.

On 05 Dec 1944, it was enroute from Myitkyina, Burma to Sookerating, when radio contact was lost.  Earlier in the day, this aircraft was flown from Ledo, India to Myitkyina, and was returning to Sookerating.  The aircraft crew called for bearings at 1830 IST from Chabua, India.  It was not heard from again.  As late as July 1945, this aircraft and the crew were still unaccounted for.  Dead: 4.

  • Pilot: 1st Lt. Frank M. Garrett
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Paul M. Harold
  • Radio Operator: SSgt. Clyde H. Bain
  • Crew Chief: SSgt. Bennie H. Walden

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

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Important Notice:​ These MIA missions are mostly self-funded by Clayton Kuhles.  No funding support is received from the US government.  If you believe this is a worthwhile humanitarian project that needs to be pursued, then please visit the Funding page on this website to see how easy it is to support this project in a meaningful manner.  MIA Recoveries, Inc is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Funding donations to MIA Recoveries, Inc are deductible under Section 170 of the Code.  EIN: 45-3174718