The Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando with the aircraft registration number 44-77577 had been delivered to the United States Air Force on December 14, 1944.

[1][2] However, just a few minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed to the ground 9 mi (14 km) northwest of Myrtle Beach[3] and was completely destroyed, causing a large fire at the site.

[4] Parts of the wing were discovered a .25 mi (0.40 km) from where the fuselage fell, which immediately led to speculation of an onboard explosion.

[1] However, upon closer examination, it was determined that shortly after takeoff, the left aileron broke apart in its central section, causing it to detach.

The aircraft, having climbed to 1,000–2,000 feet (300–600 m), went out of the crew's control, and the resulting excessive stress led to the detachment of both wings.