This aircraft was assigned to the 1333rd AAF Base Unit and was based at Chabua, India. On 06 Jan 1945, it was on a routine flight from Chabua, India to Kunming, China to deliver cargo. After unloading its cargo and boarding passengers, the aircraft departed Kunming at 0937Z. It was given instrument clearance on Charlie course back to Chabua. On board was a crew of 4 and 9 passengers.
The weather was very bad, with areas of severe turbulence, violent updrafts and cross winds and moderate to severe icing along the entire route. Rough weather prevailed from 15,000 ft to 38,000 ft with thunderstorms and heavy overcast. Cloud tops were at 23,000 ft.
At 1420Z, queries on the whereabouts of this aircraft were sent to all aircraft, ground stations and airbases that could have had any information regarding the ship. As all queries were returned with a negative answer and the tower at Kunming had the last known radio contact with the ship, the aircraft was declared missing in flight. This aircraft was never heard from again. It simply disappeared somewhere on the Hump. The plane’s nickname was Stork. Dead: 13.
Pilot: 2nd Lt. Sydney L. Murphy
Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Delmar K. Brown
Radio Operator: Cpl. Alvin P. Palecek
Flight Clerk: Pfc. Edmund T. Murphy
Passenger: 1st Lt. William K. Scherer
Passenger: 2nd Lt. Carl D. Moyes
Passenger: T/4 Lee R. Casey
Passenger: T/4 Pryor D. Collings
Passenger: T/4 O.G. Dishman
Passenger: T/4 Robert F. Sherman
Passenger: Sgt. Raymond F. Brunner
Passenger: Sgt. J.V. Dolton
Passenger: Sgt. Kenneth Hart
View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)
View the Crashed Aircraft Recovery Report (PDF)
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