Dates

Event

Constructed as a B-17G-110-VE by Lockheed-Vega at Burbank, California, USA.

Circa 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-85840.

Assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ for storage.

To Lloyd Aero Boliviano with new c/r CP-620.
Delivered directly from stocks at Davis-Monthan.

Contracted to Hamilton Aircraft, Tucson, AZ for work on the airframe.
A civil conversion was carried out by Hamilton.

1968

To Aircraft Specialties Inc, Mesa, AZ with new c/r N620L.

Converted to a fire tanker.

1968

Operated as fire service #54.
Stationed at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona.

March 1969

Flown to Hawaii for use in the filming of the movie Tora Tora Tora. Damaged during filming due to landing gear failure.

Repaired.
Returned to the continental United States.

Circa December 1971

Photographer: Larry Johnson Collection
Notes: In Falcon Field Mesa, AZ. Scanned from a negative.

12 July 1973

Crashed.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number OAK74FXQ07: There were 2 fatalities. Incident occurred at 19:15 hours. The airframe was destroyed. This was a local flight from Elko, NV. Stalled while on a low pass. The factors included; down and updrafts, unfavorable wind conditions and downwind approach. The sky conditions were unknown/not reported. The visibility was unknown/not reported. The precipitaion was unknown/not reported. There was smoke. The wind direction was 90 degrees...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

By 12 July 1973

To Aircraft Specialities Corporation with new c/r N620L.

12 July 1973

Crashed.
Summary: The airframe was a loss. There were two fatalities. It was a local fire fighting flight from Elko Airport, NV (EKO/KEKO), United States of America. The accident occurred at Eureka, NV (United States of America) while maneuvering. Narrative: The aircraft stalled and crashed during a low altitude steep turn downwind over the downslope side of a mountain.
For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

1 October 1973

Civil registration, N620L, cancelled.
Cancelled.