Introduction
During winter maneuvers at Camp Drum, New York, a C-46D aircraft
(#44-77508) plummeted to the ground just after taking off from
Wheeler-Sack airfield on February 10, 1952. The plane was from
the 514th Troop Carrier Wing at Burlington, Vermont. It was
the ninth plane in a formation of 17 planes to take off during
maneuvers. The plane began a sharp 90-degree turn, circled the
field, and then crashed into a row of parked planes. The left
wing and nose of the plane were torn off, flinging wreckage more
than 100 yards. A propeller landed among tents housing troops.
Three crew members died upon impact and the fourth crew member died
several hours later in the camp hospital. Five paratroopers in
the plane were injured, but none fatally.
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Crew Member Fatalities
- SSgt. Alfred T. Arais
- Capt. William Castle
- Capt. Frank Conoscenti
- SSgt. Martin A. Handy
Biographies of Crew Members
Alfred T. Arais
Alfred's last name might be Arias. If so, he was born
April 8, 1928. He is buried in Cypress Hills National
Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. He was a radio operator from Kings
County, New York.
William Castle
William Castle, a World War II and Korean War veteran, is
buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California. He
was born February 13, 1919. His parents were believed to
be Charlie L. Castle (1892-1980) and Mary J. Castle (1893-1979),
and his brother was believed to be Charles Castle (1917-1935).
All are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Frank Conoscenti
Frank Conoscenti was born April 22, 1920 and was married to
Louise Conoscenti (1919-1999). Both Frank and Louise are
buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, River Grove, Illinois.
Martin A. Handy
Martin Andy was from the District of Columbia. He was
born September 25, 1926. A crew chief on the fated C-46,
he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
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