Skymaster 2469 Missing: Home Page

Skymaster 2469 CAN/AM Society

Missing since January 26, 1950

The Disappearance

United States Air Force Douglas C-54D Skymaster, tail number 42-72469, was a military transport aircraft that disappeared on 26 January 1950 during a routine flight between Anchorage, Alaska, and Great Falls, Montana. On board were 44 persons – 8 crew and 36 passengers, including a pregnant service spouse with her infant son. The aircraft last reported its position at Snag, Yukon at 2309 Zulu Time (1509 Local Time); this was the last anyone has heard from the aircraft or the 44 people on board.

The flight route by Snag is Amber 02. AF 2469 should have reported its next location overhead Aishihik, Yukon at approximately 2339Z/1539L but was never heard after their check-in at Snag. The aircraft was officially reported lost by Eighth Air Force at 2005 Alaska Standard Time on 26 January and searches began the next day.

The Initial Search

After the disappearance of AF 2469, a combined Canadian-American search was conducted from 27 January until 23 February. This search was named Operation Mike for the pilot 1^st Lt Kyle McMichael. About 85 aircraft and 7,000 personnel searched approximately 350,000 square miles of territory through the flight area but no trace of wreckage was found.

The search effectively ended on 14 February when Convair B-36 44-92075, carrying a Mark 4 nuclear bomb, crashed in northern British Columbia. The aircraft and personnel assigned to Operation Mike were dispatched to search for the missing B-36.

Many friends and family members of those crash victims are still hoping today for some word as to their whereabouts. As the aircraft was not lost in combat, there is no official interest or funding for finding the aircraft and its lost passengers.

Modern Searches

The Civil Air Search & Rescue Association (CASARA) is a volunteer organization providing air search support in searching for missing aircraft. CASARA Yukon has searched for Skymaster 2469 for several years as part of their regular training. They will continue to do so until the aircraft, crew and passengers are found.

The Skymaster 2469 CAN/AM Society is a team of dedicated members with experience in aviation operations and history, glaciology, archaeology, digital mapping, research, and air and ground searching. The Society formed in 2022 and incorporated with Yukon Societies in 2023. It is a non-profit volunteer organization with a purpose to research, coordinate, conduct and report on an air and ground search for the missing USAF C-54D Skymaster 2469 and its 44 passengers and crew.

View the Documentary by Andrew Gregg: