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.

B-24D #42-40069
Found 20 Sep 2008

by

B-24D #42-40069

This aircraft was lost on the Hump on 20 Mar 1943 while enroute from Pandaveswar, India to Kunming, China.  It was assigned to the 14th Air Force, 308th Bombardment Group, 425th Squadron and was on its original flight to Kunming to begin work in China.

It had been cleared for flight from Chabua, India to Kunming, but its location at the time it encountered problems is not known.  The aircraft did not send a position report or mayday call.  The nature of the loss is unknown.  The aircraft has never been found.  Dead: 10.

  • Acting Pilot: Maj. Robert W. Fensler
  • Pilot: 2nd Lt. Phillips G. Huffman
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Gerald (Jerrold) E. Owens
  • Navigator: 2nd Lt. Frederick W. Ossenfort
  • Bombardier: 2nd Lt. Harvey M. Nix
  • Radio Operator: TSgt. Norman H. Price
  • Asst. Radio Operator: SSgt. Louis F. Verhaegen
  • Flight Engineer: TSgt. Erle H. Thayer
  • Asst. Flight Engineer: SSgt. Aubrey E. Stevenson
  • Gunner: SSgt. Sandav E. Rivardo

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

B-24D #42-40069 Photo Gallery

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Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Maj. Fensler (C.) and 2nd Lt. Harvey M. Nix (behind Fensler's R. shoulder)
Maj. Robert W. Fensler, wife Betty Lou and daughter Barbara
Pilot 2nd Lt. Phillips G. Huffman
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Gerald (Jerrold) E. Owens
Bombardier 2nd Lt. Harvey M. Nix (Front, 2nd from L.)
Flight Engineer TSgt. Erle H. Thayer
Asst. Flight Engineer SSgt. Aubrey E. Stevenson

B-24 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