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 #42-107386
Found 23 Sep 2008

by

C-46A #42-107386 Wreckage

On 04 Feb 1945, this aircraft departed Chabua, India for Karachi, India.  The aircraft was transporting 33 passengers who were homeward bound to the US.

The aircraft developed mechanical problems and caught fire over a remote jungle area approx. 55 mi. NW of Jorhat.  It crashed near the summit of a jungle-covered hill and burned.  All crewmembers and passengers were killed with the sole exception of TSgt. Marvin H. Jacobs, who survived the crash with minor injuries and was rescued and cared for by local villagers.  Dead: 34.

  • Pilot: F/O Cecil A. Weaver
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert H. Maddox
  • Passenger: Capt. Lawrence C. Archer
  • Passenger: Capt. Kenneth R. Arnette
  • Passenger: Capt. Thomas H. Harper
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. James W. Brokaw
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. Myron L. Cook
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. John A. Flach
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. John F. McDonough, Jr.
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. Charles B. Moore
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. Harold B. Morse
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. Howard S. Pierson
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. William E. Price
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. Frederick J. Raubinger
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. Louis P. Worland
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. Marshall Young
  • Passenger: TSgt. Allan H. Cousins
  • Passenger: TSgt. Phillip Feld
  • Passenger: TSgt. Robert E. Finks
  • Passenger: TSgt. Lawrence G. Jacobs
  • Passenger: TSgt. Marvin H. Jacobs
  • Passenger: TSgt. Scott F. Mitchell
  • Passenger: SSgt. Harlan G. Casper
  • Passenger: SSgt. Alva H. Floyd
  • Passenger: SSgt. Joseph B. Hewitt, Jr.
  • Passenger: SSgt. Merrill R. Hyde
  • Passenger: SSgt. David McKissock, Jr.
  • Passenger: SSgt. Ernest B. Schenck
  • Passenger: SSgt. Forman S. Smith
  • Passenger: Sgt. Joseph F. Kehrer
  • Passenger: Cpl. Buster Beck
  • Passenger: Cpl. L.F. Sellers
  • Passenger: Pfc. J.G. Goodman
  • Passenger: Pfc. Norman C. Maxfelt
  • Passenger: Pvt. Harold B. Erwin

Note: Bolded name is that of sole survivor of this crash.  TSgt. Marvin H. Jacobs was thrown clear of the wreckage and ensuing fire, and sustained only minor injuries.  He was soon found by a hunter from a local tribal village who witnessed the crash while camped on a nearby hill.  The hunter built a bamboo lean-to shelter for Jacobs and cared for him before carrying him down to the village.  A runner from the village was sent to notify the US Army.  The villagers then built a rough airstrip so the Americans could recover Jacobs with a small aircraft.

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

C-46A #42-107386 Photo Gallery

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Wreckage
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Medal found at crash site
Slingshots made from wreckage
Hut door made from wreckage
Hut door made from wreckage
Techi Tkhi witnessed the crash

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