|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USAAF
|
Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-7973. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38L-5-LO Lightning serial number 44-26969. At the factory, one of 63 P-38L-5-LO Lightnings converted into a F-5G-6-LO photographic reconnaissance version. Postwar On January 8, 1946 placed into storage at Kingman AZ. Sold by the War Assets Administration, Kingman, AZ, for $1,250 to Aero Exploration Co. Inc, Tulsa, OK, 1946-1948 and registered as NX53753. During 1949, sold to Mark Hurd Aerial Surveys Mark Hurd Aerial Surveys, Minneapolis, MN/Santa Barbara, CA and registered as N503MH during March 1958. During 1968, placed into outdoor storage in Santa Barbara, CA. In the late 1960s, acquired by Bruce L. Pruitt / Tillamook Naval Air Museum. During the 1980s to 1990s, this aircraft was restored to the original configuration during the 1990s. First flight after restoration was January 8, 1997. On December 4, 1996 registered as N7973. On June 6, 1997 at 1715 took off from Tillamook Airport piloted by Jeff Ethell on a practice flight for an upcoming P-38 pilot convention, making several low passes. Roughly 20 minutes into the flight, this aircraft spun and crashed near Tillamook, killing Ethell on impact. The FAA Concluded the crash was due to the "Failure of the pilot to maintain minimum control speed (VMC), after loss of power in one engine, which resulted in a loss of aircraft control and collision with terrain." Wreckage After the FAA investigation, the wreckage was released to the insurance company. On June 7, 1997 recovered by Harry Malette / H.L.M. Air Services, Inc. and stored at their facility in Independence, Oregon. Written wreckage release was executed on December 20, 1997. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38L-5-LO Lightning 44-26969 "26969 converted to F-5G-6-LO. To RFC at Kingman, AZ Jan 8, 1946. To NX53753, then N53753. Became N503MH with Mark Hurd Aerial Surveys, MN. Acquired by Bruce Pruitt" FAA Registration N7973 AVWeb - Close-Up: The Jeff Ethell P-38 Crash Aircraft Accident Report Seattle Times Jeffrey Ethell Obituary Warbird Registry - P-38L 44-26969 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 P-38 |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
