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-87 #41-23791
Found 16 Oct 2008

by

C-87 #41-23791

This aircraft departed its home station at Chabua, India on 09 Apr 1943 on a routine ferrying flight to China.  It was assigned to the Air Transport Command of the 10th Air Force, 1st Ferrying Group, 3rd Ferrying Squadron.

This aircraft simply disappeared while over the Hump.  Numerous attempts were made to contact it, but no replies were received to any of the radio calls.  The aircraft and its crew were never located.  The nature of the loss is undetermined.  Dead: 6.

  • Pilot: Capt. Bobby A. Cook
  • Co-Pilot: 2nd Lt. Marvin Siegal
  • Navigator: 2nd Lt. John P. Falvo
  • Radio Operator: Pvt. Robert L. Looney
  • Flight Engineer: TSgt. Henry C. Jones
  • Passenger: MSgt. Thomas L. Macintosh

View the Crashed Aircraft Site Report (PDF)

C-87 #41-23791 Photo Gallery

Click on any image for a larger view

Crash site at base of mountain
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Wreckage
Flare gun
Oxygen mask
Flight Engineer TSgt. Henry C. Jones, Jr.
Radio Operator Pvt. Robert L. Looney
Trekking towards crash site
Jungle camp near crash site

C-87 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