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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Douglas DC-1 / DC-2/R2D / DC-3 Dakota / C-47/R4D Skytrain / C-53 Skytrooper
    Latest Model:C-49E
    Last Military Serial:42-43620 USAAF
    Construction Number:02165
    Last Civil Registration:N139D {2}
    Latest Owner or Location:Sonoma Valley Airport, Schellville, California

    EDIT THE HISTORY HERE    		 If you can add to the history or would like to submit a correction please use the editor to do so.

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    Dates

    Event

    1939

    Constructed as a DST-217A.

    To unknown owner with c/r NC21752.

    14 March 1942

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 42-43620 as a C-49E.

    By 24 December 1944

    To American Airlines with new c/r NC21752 (Douglas DST-A-217A (DC-3), 2165).

    24 December 1944

    Crashed.
    Summary: The damage to the airframe was substantial. There were 12,164 hours on the airframe at the time. The domestic scheduled passenger flight departed Detroit (unknown airport), MI, United States of America and was destined for Chicago (unknown airport), IL, United States of America. The accident occurred at 7,3 km (4. 6 mls) NE of Saline, MI (United States of America) while en route. The airframe was repaired. Narrative: Americans Flight 21 en route from New York to Chicago, departed Detroit at 11:25...
    For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

    17 January 1956

    Certificate of airworthiness for N139D {2} (DC3A, 2165) issued.

    To unknown owner with c/r NC21752.

    To unknown owner with c/r N110SU.

    1975

    To unknown owner with c/r N139D {2}.

    Circa 11 March 1978

    Ted Birren comments (6 April 2022): I stumbled across this aircraft tonight while watching a Kojak episode titled 60 Miles to Hell season 5, episode 21, first aired March 11, 1978. This aircraft (N139D) was being portrayed as the transportation for smuggling marijuana from Mexico to Las Vegas. Some nice footage of landing, taxi, and takeoff, plus several interior views and the cockpit. Looked in great condition then, it is too bad it is just parked and not in service today!

    15 August 1984

    To Schaller Lee, New Athens, IL keeping c/r N139D {2}.

    On behalf of the owner stored with/at Sonoma Valley Airport, Schellville, CA.
    View the Location Dossier

    Withdrawn from use.

    10 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    10 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    10 September 2010


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    8 March 2014


    Photographer: Nigel Hitchman
    Notes: At Sonoma Valley, California

    1 January 2017

    Certificate of airworthiness for N139D {2} (DC3A, 2165) issued.
    This dossier is waiting for review by an editor.This airframe dossier is based on
    unreviewed imported data.
    If you can verify the documented history or add to it with additional text and/or photos please feel free to do so by using the upload tool and the history editor.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Internet Sources
     Airbus, Boeing, Convair and Douglas Production List
    Aviation Safety Network
    Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher
    Individual Contributors
     Ted Birren
    Mike Henniger
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