5 fatalities

Disappearance of a Military Aircraft Between the Philippines and Indonesia (44-77336)

Pacific Ocean, WorldFlight

On June 11, 1945, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration 44-77336) operated by United States Army Air Forces - USAAF (1941-1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Pacific Ocean, World 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 aircraft vanished without a trace while flying between the Philippines and Indonesia in late May, resulting in the total loss of the crew.

What happened

The incident involved a military transport aircraft operating on a route connecting the Philippines and Indonesia. The flight disappeared during transit, with no wreckage or debris located in subsequent searches. The specific date of the event is recorded as May 26, although some records indicate uncertainty regarding the exact day.

The aircraft was reported to have crashed in unknown circumstances, likely in the western region of the Pacific Ocean. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of the airframe or the personnel on board was ever recovered. The crew consisted of five military officers and enlisted personnel, including a Staff Sergeant and three Sergeants, all of whom were lost in the incident.

Findings

Due to the complete absence of physical evidence, such as wreckage or black box data, no definitive technical cause for the disappearance could be established. The investigation concluded that the aircraft likely impacted the ocean surface in the western Pacific, but the specific mechanical failure or external factor leading to the crash remains unknown.