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 #41-24717
Found 27 Oct 2007

by

C-46A #41-24717

On 24 Mar 1944, this aircraft was on a cargo mission from Chabua, India to Ondal, India via Tezpur.  The pilot was given night instrument clearance from Chabua to Ondal.  There was light to moderate thunderstorm activity with ground fog and intermittent hail along the entire route, with heaviest storm activity in the Tezpur and Misamari area.

The aircraft crashed enroute, killing all the crew.  Cause of crash is undetermined.  Dead: 4.

  • Pilot: 1st Lt. Richard S. Austin
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Joe O. Hudgins
  • Radio Operator: Cpl. Giles Q. Stevens
  • Flight Engineer: Cpl. Arnold B. Stavinoha

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

C-46A #41-24717 Photo Gallery

Click on any image for a larger view

Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
ID bracelet found at crash site
Cap crest found at crash site
Sisters of Cpl. Arnold B. Stavinoha pose with his portrait and a toolbox he made while home on leave. Viola (in red jacket) holds his recovered ID bracelet in her left hand.

C-46 Aircraft Discoveries, Crash Site Reports 2003 to 2010

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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