C-45 Expeditor

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IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #


	Aircraft: C-45 Expeditor (Model 18 “Twin Beech”) Incident Date: September 11, 1952 Location: Lake Ontario, near Oswego, NY Final Resting Place: Discovered in July 2014, in over 150 feet of water

AIRCRAFT TYPE DESCRIPTION

The C-45 Expeditor, also known as the Model 18 “Twin Beech,” was a versatile military aircraft used extensively during World War II. It was employed in various roles, including transport, training, and reconnaissance, across different branches of the military. With around 9,388 aircraft produced, the C-45 earned a reputation for reliability and adaptability. Some operational C-45s still exist today, showcasing the durability and success of the design.

HISTORY OF THE INCIDENT #

On September 11, 1952, a C-45 Expeditor was on a routine training exercise, carrying three air force officers and two civilian technical advisors. The aircraft, piloted by Lt. Col. Charles A. Callahan, was en route from Bedford, Massachusetts, to Griffiss Air Force Base near Rome, New York. Approximately 40 miles southeast of Utica, New York, the left engine of the plane began to fail. Although the engine continued to operate, the aircraft could not maintain altitude as it approached Rome.

Recognizing the danger, Lt. Col. Callahan made the crucial decision to order all four passengers to parachute from the plane. The passengers safely landed near Schutler Corners, about 15 to 20 miles southeast of Utica. Lt. Col. Callahan also parachuted to safety, leaving the plane to continue its flight unpiloted.

The C-45, now lighter, flew for another 70 minutes and covered approximately 65 miles before crashing into Lake Ontario near Oswego, NY. The plane’s circling motion and eventual crash were likely due to the full failure of the left engine. Despite search efforts by the Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force, no wreckage was found at the time.

FINAL DISPOSITION #

In July 2014, an exploration team searching for shipwrecks in Lake Ontario discovered the wreck of the C-45 Expeditor using sonar imaging. The wreck was found further from shore than initially reported, lying in over 150 feet of water. The exploration team used a remote-controlled vehicle to capture video footage of the plane’s resting place on the lakebed, providing valuable historical insight into the 1952 crash.