Dates

Event

Constructed as a C-54G-20-DO by Douglas at Santa Monica, CA.

Circa 1945

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 45-0873.

Converted to a XC-112A.

Converted to a YC-112A.
Mark Daniels comments (14 October 2017): Douglas Factory Rollout as YC-112A February 8, 1946, thirty years to the day of its destruction.

11 February 1946

First flight.
Flown at Clover Field, Santa Monica, CA.

Photographer: William T Larkins

1955

To Conner Air Lines with new c/r N6166G.

Converted to a DC-6 (prototype).
Converted by Conner Air Lines, Miami, Florida, as a Douglas DC-6B/C.

1959

To Ecuatoriana with new c/r HC-ADJ.

1960

To Conner Air Lines with new c/r N6166G.

5 May 1961

To McDeewiitt and Street Company keeping c/r N6166G.

1962

To Lance Air Transport keeping c/r N6166G.

August 1962

To ASA International Airlines keeping c/r N6166G.

May 1963

To Trabajeros Aereos del Sahara SA-TASSA with new c/r EC-AUC.

29 August 1964

Photographer: Ruth AS / Wikipedia Commons
Notes: The Prototype Douglas DC-6 (XC-112A) EC-AUC of TASSA at London Gatwick in 1964 - ex USAF 45-0873

June 1965

To M. M. Landy with new c/r N6166G.

15 June 1965

To Transair with new c/r CF-TAX.

13 June 1967

To Mercer Airlines with new c/r N901MA.

To VIP Aircraft Leasing keeping c/r N901MA.

14 April 1975

To Pacific American Airlines, Burbank, CA keeping c/r N901MA.

8 February 1976

Destroyed in a crash.
During a ferry flight from Burbank to Ontario. Pilot James R. Seccombe, Co-pilot Jack R. Finger and FE Arthur M. Bankers perished. 3 Flight Attendants survived with minor injuries. Multiple Firefighters seriously and critically injured injured in post-crash fire caused by carbide power saw used to cut into the cockpit, struck ferrous rivet, shooting sparks into spilled aviation fuel. Aircraft crashed on Woodley Municipal Golf Course, one mile south of Van Nuys Airport.

8 February 1976

Cracked propeller blade that went unnoticed during inspection broke off, severe vibration tore #3 motor from mount as direct result. Aircraft landed at BUR but no brakes, hydraulics, limited controls. Aircraft took off again but # 2 motor failed, the direct result of the departed propeller blade slicing through the lower fuselage, cutting hydraulic lines and engine control cables, then striking and damaging # 2 motor. Piloted opted to set down on golf course when he realized he did not have enough altitude to make Van Nuys Airport. Aircraft bounced several times on fairway, then struck newly constructed building at the end of its landing roll. 3 foot high slab of concrete foundation wrenched nose gear and nose of aircraft into building, killing crew of three instantly. One caretaker in building suffered minor injuries. FAA blamed faulty inspection, failure to remove de-icing boot, and airline for not monitoring the inspector. Inspector, not itonically, was an FAA Certified and Approved Repair Station.

Photographer: Ralph L. Emerson

27 March 1978

Civil registration, N901MA, cancelled.