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.

C-47A #42-24360
Found 11 Nov 2003

by

C-47A 42-24360

This aircraft departed Yunnanyi, China at 0840 CST for Misamari, India on 02 Nov 1943.  The aircraft was assigned to the Air Transport Command.

No radio contacts were received from the aircraft after its departure from Yunnanyi.  It did not arrive in Misamari and was listed as missing.  The cause of the loss is unknown, as the weather was reportedly good and the aircraft was new.  It’s possible it was brought down by Japanese fighter aircraft operating over the Ft. Hertz Valley in northern Burma.  Japanese fighter aircraft based in Sumprabum, Burma were active in the area.

The ATC search and rescue team at Ft. Hertz, Burma received a report on 09 Oct 1944 about a US aircraft wreck found high in the mountains in northeastern India, just across the border from Burma.  They went to the crash site and identified it as being this aircraft.  All 3 crewmembers were found and identified and their remains were buried at the site.  Dead: 3.

  • Pilot: 1st Lt. John A. Deaux
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Edgar L. Corbiere
  • Radio Operator: Cpl. Paul E. Pakari

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

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C-47A #42-24360 Photo Gallery

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Crash site on left-rear shore of lake
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Clayton examining wreckage
Pilot 2nd Lt. John A. Deaux, Jr.
Pilot 2nd Lt. John A. Deaux, Jr.
Pilot 2nd Lt. John A. Deaux, Jr.
Radio Operator Cpl. Paul E. Pakari
Hanging bridge in northern Burma enroute to India border
Clayton with Russell's viper
Clayton in Guba village in northern Burma
Tibetan guides
Clayton climbing towards crash site

C-47 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