The squadron flew on communications, artillery co- operation and rescue operations under 'Western Air Command'.
Took off from Annette Island and encountered a sudden snow squall and crashed, during a landing attempt, into the sea six miles north-west of Annette Island at Warburton Island, Alaska. Pilot and six passengers (3 USO performers and 3 RCAF members) killed
Killed: Squadron Leader Fred Burpee Curry, RCAF pilot KIFA Ashes Scattered On Tamgas Mountain, Annette Island, Alaska, USA. LAC Edward Kitchener McMichael, RCAF ?OC? KIFA Ottawa War Memorial, Ottawa, Ontario, Panel 2. Column 5. F/Lt Ian Macmillan Dowling, RCAF passenger, KIFA, Greenwood Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario, East half Lot 362. Grave 2. F/Lt Ernest Bunting Stapleford, RCAF passenger KIFA Victoria Lawn Cemetery, St Catharines, Ontario, Sec. A. Plot 249. Grave 1. Civilian Maxine Gloeckner, (USO - United Service Organizations) passenger KIFA Oak Grove Cemetery, St Louis, Missouri, USA, Hillcrest/So 1/2-253/3 Civilian Adelaide J Kaiser, (USO) passenger KIFA no home town or burial place found. Civilian Christine Street, (USO) passenger KIFA no home town or burial place found.
