Beech UC-43 - crash 19 Dec 1946 - serial?

[Revi16]

Perhaps the information provided to AAIR has a typo or mistake?

I've searched numerous word items on the Beech17 site looking for a match and can't come up with anything that answers your question. Word items searched, 1946-12, 8871, 871, France, YC-43, Embassy, Statts, Dulloums. http://beech17.net/

Additionally, this webpage indicates 8 occupants. http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=119124
This may just be more errors, but it would be tough to fit 8 occupants in a UC-43. If 8 occupants IS accurate, perhaps the aircraft was a UC-64 or something else?

[Leendert]

I had seen the ASN record where it says Toulouse and 8 injured, like you wrote Ravi.

Some British newspapers a few days later surprisingly speak of a French military airplane that had crashed near Toulouse with 9 injured....
The French had Beech C-45 Expeditors.

Will look further, but unfortunately have no experience with French newspaper archives for details.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Received additional info.

UC-43 was attached to US Embassy in London. Was on its way from Orly to London.
Crashed (out of gas) "in bombed out field while attempting emergency landing". Partially burned. Time: 1730Z.

Pilot: Capt. Statts; passenger: Sgt. A.J. Joghson - no injuries.

Location given as 7 kms N. of Dulloums. Considering route, this may be Doullens instead.

So, not Toulouse and/or 8 injured....

There was a (later) Lt Col John H. Statts, perhaps the Capt. Statts above.

Serial 8871 in report still a mystery, may also refer to (a) Station 8871.

Regards,

Leendert

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

"FAA Aircraft 1939-1945" has the following -
FT509 - ( 44-67763 - c/n 6871 ) - Rtd USN as Bu 32900 - became NC248/N248E.
However Joe Baugher has in his site that FT509 was c/n 6771.
So perhaps he has a typo and maybe it is 6871 ?
And in turn the original number 8871 may have also been an error for 6871 ?
Anyone have details of NC248 or as later N248E ?

My two pence worth
Alex

[Revi16]

6871 - http://beech17.net/?page_id=1239

[Alex Smart]

Hello Revi,
Thank you for the reply and the link.
I am still of the opinion that it was an a/c of British parentage though.
The start of the number "66" may well be in place of the first two alphabetical letters . This is seen several times in MACR reports specially with USAAF Spitfire losses when the serial number is given as 66 the followed by three numbers.
Just a thought, could have been an ex RAF or RN a/c returned to US service in Europe and not given a US serial number at the time of accident.
Alex

[Leendert]

Thanks for the follow ups. Possibility of ex-RAF has crossed my mind as well.
FAA flew the type as well.

Have contacted another source and will keep you posted.

Regards,

Leendert

PS ASN entry is edited now. This of course reopens the question what French military plane crashed near Toulouse with 8/9 injured. Date on or around 22 Dec 1946.