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 #41-24724
Found 01 Oct 2007

by

C-46A #41-24724

This aircraft was enroute from Kunming, China to Misamari, India on 20 Feb 1944.

The weather was extremely bad and radio contact was very poor.  The pilot was evidently lost and the aircraft was running low on fuel.  Pilot called Chabua for a bearing, and Chabua shot bearings on the aircraft and instructed pilot to let down.  Pilot wanted to bailout, but Chabua assured him it was OK to let down from 12,500 ft. to 8,000 ft.  Pilot was also receiving bearings and instructions from Jorhat, and this might have caused even more confusion for the pilot.  The last radio transmission from aircraft ended with a loud crashing sound.  It is presumed the aircraft crashed into a mountain.  Aircraft not located and crew declared dead.  Dead: 4.

  • Pilot: 2nd Lt. Jack Hunter
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Alfred S. Hemmer
  • Radio Operator: Sgt. Inman A. Watson
  • Flight Engineer: SSgt. John L. Weinberg

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

C-46A #41-24724 Photo Gallery

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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