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-24J #42-73242
Found 04 Jan 2011

by

B-24J #42-73242

On 25 Jan 1944, this aircraft departed Kunming, China for Chabua, India on a routine ferrying mission.  The aircraft was assigned to the 14th Air Force, 308th Bombardment Group, 425th Squadron.

The aircraft never arrived in Chabua.  The cause of the crash and its whereabouts is unknown.  Dead: 12.

  • Pilot: Maj. Harry H. Musinski
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Toney W. Gochnauer
  • Navigator: 2nd Lt. John B. Frazier
  • Bombardier: 2nd Lt. George R. Maupin
  • Radio Operator: TSgt. Joseph P. Kurta
  • Asst. Radio Operator: SSgt. Donah L. Adams
  • Flight Engineer: TSgt. Wellington W. Hull
  • Asst. Flight Engineer: SSgt. John W. Karns
  • Passenger: 1st Lt. Charles P. Mortimer
  • Passenger: TSgt. Jack R. Ferguson
  • Passenger: TSgt. Edward W. Higgins
  • Passenger: SSgt. Robert O. Watson

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

View the letter about Haley’s Comet (PDF)

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B-24J #42-73242 Photo Gallery

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Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Personal artifacts
Personal artifacts
Human remains
Human remains and personal artifacts
Pilot Maj. Harry H. Musinski
Pilot Maj. Harry H. Musinski article
Pilot Maj. Harry H. Musinski article
Co-Pilot<br /> 2nd Lt. Toney W. Gochnauer
Asst. Flight Engineer<br /> SSgt. John W. Karns
TSgt. Edward W. Higgins
SSgt. Robert O. Watson
SSgt. Robert O. Watson<br /> (Rear, 3rd from L.)
High camp on Lulam Mtn.
Nishi tribal people

B-24 Aircraft Discoveries, Crash Site Reports 2011 to 2020

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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