5 fatalities

Disappearance of cargo aircraft in Yunnan region (43-47154)

Yunnan, ChinaFlight

On March 1, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 43-47154) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Yunnan, China in flight. 5 people were killed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A military cargo aircraft vanished during a mission between China, India, and Burma. The wreckage was never recovered, with the crash site likely located in the mountainous terrain of western Yunnan province.

What happened

The incident involved a military cargo aircraft operating on a logistical route connecting China, India, and Burma. During this mission, the flight disappeared without further contact. Search efforts failed to locate any debris or wreckage from the event. Based on the last known position and operational context, it is estimated that the aircraft crashed in the rugged, mountainous areas of western Yunnan province.

The crew consisted of five personnel who were not recovered. The individuals listed in the records include Pfc Norman T. Bayne, 2nd Lt John C. Breese, 1st Lt Elmer H. Capell, 2nd Lt Keith E. Carnie, and M/Sgt Harold W. Dahlstrom. All members of the flight crew are presumed lost as a result of this disappearance.

Findings

No definitive cause of the accident was established due to the lack of physical evidence. The primary factor preventing further investigation was the failure to locate the wreckage in the difficult terrain of the region. Consequently, the specific mechanical or environmental conditions leading to the loss remain unknown.