Dates

Event

Constructed as a DC-7B.

14 May 1958

To Eastern Air Lines with new c/r N848D.

31 January 1966

To California Airmotive keeping c/r N848D.

From March 1968 to May 1971

To McCollum Aviation keeping c/r N848D.

From January 1969 to April 1970

Leased to Society of Sky Roamers.

May 1971

To Christian Flight Services keeping c/r N848D.

Withdrawn from use.
And stored at Fresno, California.

February 1975

To T B M Inc, Tulare, CA with new c/r N848D.

Operated as fire service #61.

1985

Photographer: Unknown

July 1991

Photographer: Eric Bannwarth
Notes: N848D - DC-7B - TBM Inc. in July 1991

August 1991

Photographer: Jacqueline Fischer
Notes: Klamath Falls, OR

1 October 1992

Destroyed in a crash.
Douglas DC-7B airtanker N848D had been operating from Stockton, CA (SCK) and had made several drops of retardant on the southeast edge of a fire on the El Dorado National Forest.Their first mission on October 1, 1992, had begun at 08:33. Their fourth mission had them departing the base at 11:56. Their departure was immediately followed by a Lockheed SP2H enroute to the same fire. The DC-7B arrived in the fire vicinity at an elevation of about 6,500 feet MSL at 12:20. Air attack briefed the DC-7Bs two-person flight crew for their retardant drop. Air attack was flying at approximately 7,500 feet MSL. The planned drop was to be made from north to south about one mile west of the upper dam on the reservoir. It was to be the airtankers first drop in this particular location. The visibility was good, in excess of ten miles, and turbulence was reported as mild, but bumpy. The area over the lake to the east of the drop pattern was experiencing reduced visibility due to smoke.According to occupants of the second airtanker, the DC-7B made a turn around the fire and was descending northbound for a drop out of a right hand pattern when the DC-7B captain indicated that he wanted to depart the pattern as he had a problem with an engine. He suggested the second airtanker perform the intended drop while he worked with his engine problem. The second airtanker then received attention from air attack and began a circle to fly a pattern similar to the pattern the DC-7B had flown.Shortly thereafter, air attack asked the DC-7B if he needed to abort (drop) his load of retardant. That captain replied that he might have to if he couldnt solve his engine problem. All communications were normal. Air attack was operating without leadplane assistance as the leadplane had departed the scene for fuel a few minutes before, instructing air attack to perform drops on the west side of the reservoir. Another leadplane was about six minutes out.The mishap airtanker was reported to be descending at.

1 October 1992

Crashed.
Summary: The airframe was a loss. There were two fatalities. It was a local fire fighting flight from Stockton Airport, CA (SCK/KSCK), United States of America. The accident occurred at near Union Valley Reservoir, CA (United States of America) while maneuvering.
For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

At about 6,000 feet MSL heading in a north-northwesterly direction after departing the drop pattern, with no visible signs of engine problems and no indication of concern present in his radio transmissions. The DC-7B continued northbound toward gently rising terrain about two miles from the intended drop site and was next observed heading in an easterly direction and low to the ground. The airtanker was reported to be in a sharply pitched up attitude prior to dropping its retardant. Air attack reported that he observed the retardant start and stop, but did not know if a full load had been dropped. He said the load was continuous. The DC-7B was then reported to fall off on the right wing as it descended steeply toward the ground. During this sequence, the captain transmitted on the radio, Were going in, were going in.It was at this point that tree strikes occurred which removed the horizontal stabilizers and elevators from the tail of the airtanker. This entire sequence took place within the span of about 60 seconds. The airtanker then went behind a ridge and white smoke was observed rising from the site.The airtanker had impacted the ground in steep terrain at an elevation of approximately 5,100 feet MSL. Some of the wreckage was deposited in a creek bottom and the remainder was located on an adjacent south-facing slope. Both the captain and copilot were fatally injured. The aircraft was totally destroyed.

18 May 1994

Civil registration, N848D, cancelled.