Narrative:
The C-46 was en route from Sedalia AAF to McChord AFB, WA via Fresno. The transport plane could not land at McChord due to poor visibility. The crew decided to return.
For some reason they had to bail out and the airplane crashed in the heavily-wooded wilderness. Five survivors were found within two days and four were found later. Two men were found dead in the wreckage and one remained missing as of December 5, 1945.
| Status: | |
| Date: | Friday 26 October 1945 |
| Type: |  Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 44-77561 |
| MSN: | 32957 |
| First flight: | 1944 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: / Occupants: |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: / Occupants: |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 12 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 67 km (41.9 mls) E of Coos Bay, OR ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Fresno Air Terminal, CA (FAT/KFAT), United States of America |
| Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA (TCM/KTCM), United States of America |
The C-46 was en route from Sedalia AAF to McChord AFB, WA via Fresno. The transport plane could not land at McChord due to poor visibility. The crew decided to return.
For some reason they had to bail out and the airplane crashed in the heavily-wooded wilderness. Five survivors were found within two days and four were found later. Two men were found dead in the wreckage and one remained missing as of December 5, 1945.
Sources:
» Traverse City Record Eagle 29-11-1945Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Fresno Air Terminal, CA to Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA as the crow flies is 1166 km (729 miles).
Distance from Fresno Air Terminal, CA to Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA as the crow flies is 1166 km (729 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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