Crash of a C-46D Commando at Darwin, Northern Territory on 6 March 1945

CRASH OF A C-46D COMMANDO
AT DARWIN, NT
ON 6 MARCH 1945

Curtiss C-46D Commando

C-46D-CU Curtiss Commando #42-101058 (058 X715) crashed on landing at Darwin airfield on 6 March 1945 due to the right brake not holding on landing. The skin of the fuselage was slightly damaged necessitating repairs.

Operations Order Number 60, dated 6 October 1944 showed Aircraft and Crew Assignments For Overseas Shipment of 20 Aircraft from Fairfield-Suisun AAB, California to Nadzab, New Guinea. Amongst the list was the crew of #42-101058 as follows:-

C-46D #42-101058

Capt.	Scholl, Charles T.	0738258	Pilot	1051
^{2nd Lt.}	Jones, Homer E.	0720519	Co-Pilot	1051
T/Sgt.	McHugh, Charles F.	15336501	Engineer	2750
T/Sgt.	Billerbeck, Francis T.	12160243	Radio Operator	2756
Capt.	Orr, William S.	0531463	Passenger	5310
M/Sgt.	Thibeault, Ernest C.	11029072	Passenger	750
M/Sgt.	Murdock, Clarence E.	6293532	Passenger	450

The aircraft and men were to report upon arrival to the Commanding Officer, Far East Air Force Combat Replacement and Training Center (P), Nadzab, New Guinea and pass to the control of the Commander-in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area for further assignment to the Far East Air Force.

REFERENCES

Aircraft Accident Report by Charles T. Scholl, Capt., Air Corps, Assistant Operations Officer, 8th Combat Cargo Squadron, 2nd Combat Cargo Group, APO 920.

Note:- I believe APO 920 was Base H, Biak, Dutch New Guinea.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Jim Moffett for his assistance with this web page.

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