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-47DL #41-18518
Found 28 Sep 2008

by

C-47DL #41-18518

On 13 Jul 1943, this aircraft departed Mohanbari, India for Kunming, China.  It was on a routine mission over the Hump.  The aircraft radioed from the vicinity of Sookerating, India for a weather report at Yunnanyi, China.  This radio call was received at 1418 IST.

The aircraft did not arrive in Kunming.  It has not been located and no further information has become available.  Crew and passenger declared dead.  Dead: 4.

  • Pilot: 2nd Lt. Robert D. Coker
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Howard G. Bushey
  • Radio Operator: Cpl. Walter A. Hynes
  • Passenger: Capt. Alexander A. St. Clair

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

C-47DL #41-18518 Photo Gallery

Click on any image for a larger view

Charred trees remaining at crash site
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Cooking pot made from wreckage
Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert D. Coker
Capt. Alexander A. St. Clair
Co-Pilot 2nd Lt. Howard G. Bushey article
90-year old woman witnessed the crash

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