OCTOBER 23, 1943
TAKING OFF FROM KUNMING


From Fletcher Hank's, "WHEN AND HOW THE CNAC CRASHES HAPPENED ON THE HUMP AND ITS ENVIRONS DURING WWII" (hand-dated 5/4/02)

Enos Kirkpatrick, 10/23/43, C-47 #61. No fatalities. D. Wu, copilot, K.C. Yuan, radio operator. While taking off from Kunming, just as Kirk passed the end of the runway, the left engine began to clank and vibrated violently but the plane did not have enough speed or altitude to feather propeller. Immediately the plane began to sink and lose speed. "Within 3 seconds we started hitting the trees and all lights on the ship went out. After a bruising, noisy ride, we came to rest in the swamp. Crew O.K. except for minor cuts and bruises. Plane repaired." Source: Kirkpatrick's log.


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