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 #43-15398
Found 23 Nov 2010

by

C-47A #43-15398

This aircraft departed Lalmanirhat, India on 25 May 1944 for Chabua, India on a routine cargo run.  This was an Air Transport Command aircraft assigned to Karachi and with an ATC crew aboard.

The aircraft did not arrive in Chabua, and no distress calls were received from the crew.  The weather was very poor that day along its route, with scattered thunderstorms, low clouds and occasional zero visibility being reported. The last report on this aircraft states it is still missing in flight and the crew is presumed dead.  Dead: 3.

  • Pilot: 1st Lt. John S. Gordon
  • Co-Pilot: F/O Russell A. Brown
  • Radio Operator: Pfc. James C. Mohn

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

C-47A #43-15398 Photo Gallery

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Crash site area
Crash site area
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Aircraft data plate
Human remains
Co-Pilot Flight Officer<br /> Russell A. Brown and wife Leona
Revolver and cartridges found at crash site
Tibetan guides
17-Clayton and Tibetan guide at yak herder's hut near 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