Incident Overview
Date: Sunday 4 March 1945
Aircraft Type: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
Owner/operator: United States Army Air Force – USAAF
Registration Number: 44-77654
Location: 1,6 km S off Orfordness –
ÿ United Kingdom
Phase of Flight: Unknown
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: C-46 aircraft and Waco CG-13A glider.C-46 aircraft and Waco CG-13A glider.
A C-46 aircraft, towing a Waco CG-13A glider, lost its altitude and direction en route to B-54 in France, subsequently circling near several airfields in southeastern England. The pilot radioed ‘we are lost’ and was subsequently fired upon by anti-aircraft guns.A C-46 aircraft, towing a Waco CG-13A glider, lost its altitude and direction en route to B-54 in France, subsequently circling near several airfields in southeastern England. The pilot radioed ‘we are lost’ and was subsequently fired upon by anti-aircraft guns.
Description
The C-46 departed Station 484 Folkingham, England at 10:30, towing a loaded Waco CG-13A glider, with B-54, Achiet, France as its destination. Unfavorable weather was encountered en route but the airplane and glider made a successful landing at B-54. The airplane and crew departed B-54, Achiet, at 15:50 without the glider in tow, for the purpose of returning to Folkingham. At 19:25 hours, the pilot radioed “we are lost”. The airplane circled Hawkinge, Lympne and Detling airfields southeast of London, England at approximately 10,000 feet in daylight. The pilot ultimately flew off course over a restricted area over the English Channel where he was fired upon by anti-aircraft guns at 20:05.
Source of Information
http://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.asphttp://www.aviationarchaeology.com/src/db.aspPrimary Cause
Unfavorable weather conditions encountered during the flight.Unfavorable weather conditions encountered during the flight.Share on:
