323

N62783 sporting new colours.
Photo: Unknown photographer © June 1984 - Aird Archives
N62783 Channel Flying, two views , at Vancouver.
Photo: Gary Vincent © June 1984
Photo: John Kimberley © April 1984 - Michael J. Ody Collection
N62873 at Juneau, Alaska.
Photo: Brian Stockall © 13 March 1978
N62873 on beaching gear.
Photo: Kenneth I. Swartz © 07 May 1977
N62873 at Luxembourg - Findel, after demob.
Photo: Ab Gobets © 11 August 1973 - via Coert Munk - Aird Archives
Photo: Mick Bajcar © August 1972 - Aird Archives
51-16531 of 406th TFTW at Zaragoza AFB.
Photo: USAF © 20 November 1972 - Johan Ragay Collection

323

51-16531

N62873

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51-16531 USAF#1134. L-20A No. 135 Command AF-1. Delivered 17-Jul-1952. Built as L-20A and re-designated U-6A in 1962.

N62873 Loken Aviation Inc., Juneau, AK. Dates unknown.

Note: Reported as written off 07-Dec-1970. Details unknown. Not recorded by NTSB.

N62873 Channel Flying Inc., Juneau, AK. Regd 14-Sep-1977. De regd 30-Apr-1991.

Accident: Pelican, AK. 19-Apr-1989. During a flight from Juneau to Pelican, Alaska, the aircraft collided with terrain approx 12 miles east of Pelican while crossing over Chichagof Island. Impact occurred on a vertical rock wall at an elevation of about 1,950 ft. Pilot & passenger suffered fatal injuries. No pre-impact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft was evident. Another pilot, who had planned to fly the same route about 1 hr & 45 min earlier, decided to fly around the island due to low clouds, rain & fog in the area. He reported that he flew over icy straits rather than take a more direct route & that ceilings were about 2,000 ft broken with lower stratus in the valleys. A helicopter pilot said he was unable to work in mountain passes in the vicinity of the accident due to low clouds, rain & fog; he also said the passes were 'socked in.' improper in-flight decision by the pilot, and his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The terrain and weather conditions were considered to be factors in the accident. SEA89FA074

N62873 Removed 03-Jun-1991 as destroyed.

Written off

USAF History.

51-16531 was made available on 08-Jul-1952 and accepted on 11-Jul-1952 by the 6600th Air Depot AMO (Air Material Overseas Unit), at Downsview, Ontario after which it was delivered to the Tactical Air Command at Donaldson AFB., Greenville, SC., where it was assigned to the 64th Troop Carrier (Medium) Group on 17-Jul-1952 until re allocated on 22-Jul-1952 to the 4th Liaison Squadron.

In preparation for transportation to Europe it was assigned to the Air Material Command and the 2847th Transportation Control Depot (TPC) Wing at Newark NJ from 13-Dec-1952. It arrived in Germany at Neubiberg and was assigned to Air Force Europe from 23-Jan 1953 being initially allocated to the 86th Fighter Bomber Wing at Neubiberg remaining until 18-Feb-1953. It was then allocated to the 85th Air Depot Wing at Erding until 13 Apr-1953 after which it moved to the 4th Liaison Squadron at Furstenfeldbruch where it remained until 06-Dec-1953 and then a few days until 14-Dec-1953 with the 7030rd Headquarters Squadron at Landstuhl until 14-Dec-1953.

The aircraft then moved to France and to Chaumont for the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing but only remained until 04-Feb-1954 before being sent to Landstuhl, Germany and the 7030th Headquarters Group. Returning to France it arrived at Dreux-Louvilliers on 23-Sep-1954 joining the 7305th Air Base Squadron remaining until 25-May-1955. It then crossed to the 60th Medium Troop Carrier Wing at Rhein Main in Germany until 15-Jun-1955 but then moved back to Dreux-Louvilliers as the 60th was re deployed there. The 60th provided airlift for troops and cargo throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The aircraft stayed at Dreux until 15-Aug-1955 spending the last month with the 7305th Air Base Wing. Its next move was back to Chaumont and the 48th Fighter Bomber Wing, a deployment that lasted until 10-Jul-1956.

A period of maintenance at the Aermacchi facility in Vergiate, northern Italy lasted until 07-Dec-1956 after which there was a return to Landstuhl in Germany and the 86th Fighter Interceptor Wing. Following a year long stay, and staying in Germany in arrived at Ramstein to join the 7030th Support Group on 06-Jan-1958 and remaining when the unit was re designated as 7030th Air Base Wing on15-Nov-1959. This allocation lasted until 31-Jul-1962. The aircraft now went to North Africa and was attached to the 7272th Air Base Wing t Wheelus AFB in Libya.

The further USAF history of this aircraft is to be researched.

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