Where'd She Go?

[CaptStark]

In the late 50's and early 60's, my dad owned N1775D, a 1952 170B, ser # 20348 finished in polished silver and red mask and stripes. The aircraft was purchased from an individual in Phoenix and flown to L.A.where we lived at the time. When it sold, it was purchased by another individual from the Phoenix area, possibly a Mr. Witmer.

I tracked it in the FAA registration online data and it shows REVOKED with a last known location of Chandler, AZ and an owner of Charles Witmer. And that was as of 30 years ago!!!. I called the FAA 1-800 number and asked the FAA "registration technician" if the N-number had possibly been changed and he "assured me" that if it had, the current records would reflect it. I asked him if a search by serial number was possible. He then informed me that, "Serial numbers of aircraft are unique to each aircraft and though you might be able to find a Boeing with the same number as a Cessna, what good would come from that?" I put my nice voice on and restated my query but this US Government employee let me know in no uncertain terms that he didn't see the point in searching for a serial number. (Huh?) Trying a different tack, I asked this Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Registration Technician how he would track a plane that had been out of registration for 30+ years. He couldn't help me.

I inquired whether or not the plane might have been in an accident and he scoffed, "It's the responsibility of the registered owner to notify the FAA if the aircraft is involved in an accident!" Parted out? "Unknown." Realizing that "help" was not a word in this employees job description, I searched online and found the 170 Association. Hallelujah!

What could have happened to that plane? Was it parted out? Is it still sitting somewhere? Anyone know the whereabouts or current owner? If it's tied down at your airport or in pieces in somebody's barn, could you pass on that information?

Any suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated!

Keep 'Em Flying!

Ray Stark
602-920-6395
a737@earthlink.net

[futr_alaskaflyer]

Could also have been exported.

A quick scan of our member directory shows that serial number is not listed as owned by any of our US or foreign club members.

[cessna170bdriver]

Ray,

N1775D was involved in an accident on January 17, 1973 in Willcox, AZ, and sustained "substantial" damage. If un(der) insured, it may have been parted out. I found this report by just doing a yahoo search on the n-number.

https://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?ev_id=68022&key=0

You can go to http://162.58.35.241/e.gov/ND/airrecordsND.asp, and order a CD for $10 with ALL of the data the FAA has on that airplane, including all owners through which it passed in its lifetime.

Miles

[blueldr]

Miles,

You the man!

[CaptStark]

You guys are the best.

Thanks for your help. It was a long shot but...

At least two of Dad's planes are still flying. (KA-6CR N-5621 Schleicher sailplane and Taylorcraft N43715)

They don't last forever. Thanks for the dedication and commitment to preserving these wonderful old machines.

Fly Safe!

Ray

[CaptStark]

PS: I received my FAA documents and the sum total of the information was a history of registration applications and sales receipts. Nothing on the accident. Your post on the NTSB info had more data than the whole CD!

Must have been parted out.

Ray