Where'd She Go?
Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 9:41 pm
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
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