Zone
Assam

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-1-CU Commando in the Chirdwin Valley: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
41-5204
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Dibrugarh – Yangkai
MSN:
26406
YOM:
1943
Location:
Chirdwin Valley
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in the Chirdwin Valley. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was found.
Crew (6th Squadron):
T/Sgt Kullervo T. Aaltonen,
2nd Lt Raymond V. Bouche,
F/O Kenneth E. Grill,
T/Sgt Richard Stapleford,4
1st Lt Jack R. Tate,
2nd Lt Max E. Wilbur.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Yunnanyi: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 2, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-38656
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kunming – Dibrugarh
MSN:
6039
YOM:
1942
Location:
Yunnanyi
Yunnan
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route to Dibrugarh-Mohanbary Airbase in Assam, the aircraft crashed in the region of Yunnanyi, killing all three crew members.
Crew:
2nd Lt Julius W. Dunn,
F/O William E. James,
Cpl William B. Malick.
Source:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19430802-3
Probable cause:
The accident was likely caused by the lack of proper direction finding radio equipment facilities at Yunnanyi.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in the Assam mountains: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 13, 1943
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
41-18518
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Dibrugarh – Kunming
MSN:
4610
YOM:
1942
Location:
Assam State
Assam
Country:
India
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Dibrugarh-Mohanbari Airport bound for Kunming. En route, while cruising in the region of Sookerating at 1418LT, the crew contacted ground to obtain a weather briefing for Kunming Airport. This was the last radio transmission. The aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere between Sookerating and Kunming, most probably in the mountains of the Assam State. No trace was ever found.
Crew (1st TPG):
2nd Lt Howard G. Bushey,
1st Lt Robert D. Coker,
S/Sgt Walter A. Hynes.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-171 in Cooktown

Date & Time: Jan 8, 1943 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-2
Operator:
Registration:
A30-13
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Dibrugarh – Cooktown
MSN:
1373
YOM:
1935
Location:
Cooktown
Queensland
Country:
Australia
Region:
Oceania
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On touchdown at Cooktown, the aircraft veered to the left. The captain immediately increased engine power and started a go around. At a height of ten feet, the aircraft banked left, causing the left wing to hit the runway surface. The aircraft went out of control and crashed on the runway edge. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all ten occupants escaped unhurt.
Crew:
W/O B. Starkey, pilot,
F/Sgt G. Unkles,
LAC J. R. Naugh,
Sgt A. J. Stribley.
Passengers:
F/O F. P. Nolan,
Sgt H. J. Fletcher,
Sgt A. K. Crooks,
Sgt A. Picton,
Sgt G. Shanks,
F/O J. A. Bonnington.
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