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.
This aircraft departed Chanyi, China at 0940 Z on 29 Jan 1944 for Misamari, India.
Winds were reported out of the SW at 80-100 mph at altitudes greater than 18,000 ft. and severe icing below 21,000 ft. No radio contact was received from aircraft after it departed Chanyi. Aircraft not located and reported missing on 03 Feb 1944. Crew declared administratively dead. Dead: 4.
- Pilot: 2nd Lt. Huland K. Hunt
- Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Lawrence H. Fox
- Radio Operator: Cpl. Alphonse B. Kupchun
- Flight Engineer: Pfc. Kenneth L. Seidel
View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report for C-46A #41-24739.
C-46A #41-24739 Expedition Photo Gallery
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