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Douglas DC-3 (N33370) - * Not my photo * * Not my photo * (I was only 1 y/o when this was taken.)br /Flashback (Seventy-one years ago back to 1951) ~~br /A Mohawk Airlines DC-3, N33370, "Air Chief Cayuga," at an unknown airport in this very old photo taken in 1951.br /This is another photo from the memorabilia collection of Mr. Larry Myers. To learn why I am posting this photo from Mr. Myers's collection, go to the previous picture in my folder. The full explanation is provided under that picture.br /This particular DC-3 has an interesting history ....br /1943 .... Came off the Douglas production line intended to be delivered to an airline; however, the US government took ownership and it went into the USAAF as 43-2026.br /1944-45 .... To Pan American as NC33370.br /1948 ..... To Robinson Airlines (which became Mohawk Airlines) as N33370 (seen above) and was named "Air Chief Cayuga.'br /1958 ..... Reconfigured as a C-53 and reregistered as N410D. Remained in service with Mohawk.br /Mohawk was bought by Allegheny in early 1970s. Prior to that, N410D (N33370) was WFU by Mohawk and was purchased by a private charter airline; Hansen Air.br /8 Mar 64 ..... While on approach to Chicago transporting 28 members of a ski team, was inbound behind a TWA jet. Encountered vortex turbulence and crashed into a home. One pilot was fatally injured; the other pilot and all members of the ski team survived. N410D was w/o. The probable cause was determined to be the vortex turbulence but a contributing factor was the failure of the pilots to utilize anti-icing features which led to problems controlling the descending plane, esp when it encountered the vortex turbulence behind the TWA jet.
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Douglas DC-3 (N33370)

Submitted

* Not my photo * * Not my photo * (I was only 1 y/o when this was taken.)
Flashback (Seventy-one years ago back to 1951) ~~
A Mohawk Airlines DC-3, N33370, "Air Chief Cayuga," at an unknown airport in this very old photo taken in 1951.
This is another photo from the memorabilia collection of Mr. Larry Myers. To learn why I am posting this photo from Mr. Myers's collection, go to the previous picture in my folder. The full explanation is provided under that picture.
This particular DC-3 has an interesting history ....
1943 .... Came off the Douglas production line intended to be delivered to an airline; however, the US government took ownership and it went into the USAAF as 43-2026.
1944-45 .... To Pan American as NC33370.
1948 ..... To Robinson Airlines (which became Mohawk Airlines) as N33370 (seen above) and was named "Air Chief Cayuga.'
1958 ..... Reconfigured as a C-53 and reregistered as N410D. Remained in service with Mohawk.
Mohawk was bought by Allegheny in early 1970s. Prior to that, N410D (N33370) was WFU by Mohawk and was purchased by a private charter airline; Hansen Air.
8 Mar 64 ..... While on approach to Chicago transporting 28 members of a ski team, was inbound behind a TWA jet. Encountered vortex turbulence and crashed into a home. One pilot was fatally injured; the other pilot and all members of the ski team survived. N410D was w/o. The probable cause was determined to be the vortex turbulence but a contributing factor was the failure of the pilots to utilize anti-icing features which led to problems controlling the descending plane, esp when it encountered the vortex turbulence behind the TWA jet.

Comments

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Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
** The original photographer of this picture is unknown. If he / she is still alive, that person would be at least 90+ years old. **
Although I tend to think this was taken at Utica Airport (N.Y.), there was no notation on the photo telling where it was actually snapped.
Periodically throughout the upcoming years, I will post some additional pictures from Mr. Myers's collection of Robinson Airlines / Mohawk Airlines / Empire Airlines photos.
Dave Sheehy
Looking forward to them all Gary, thanks for the memories!
William Crooker
Nice presentation. Looking forward to your next entry as well. Old photos are always great!
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Dave and William ... Howdy and Thanx. I will be posting more from Larry's CDs but not right away. Before I post, I try to check the web to see if he maybe passed them along to others who may have posted them. I have found some but the guys (two different guys) who posted them did not credit Larry (they were young so I'm sure they did not snap them). In fact, they credited no one. I figure they d/loaded the pics from Larry's site when it was up. If I find some where the folk(s) who post them credit Larry, then I won't post whatever they have posted. So I'll share more every so often. On behalf of Larry Myers, I want to say Thanks to both of you for your interest and enjoyment of the photos he saved. Your interest is a tribute to him. (Wave)
Michael Boring
Thanks. I really like these nostalgic photos.
Darryl Sarno
Thank you for sharing this Gary!
Peter Fuller
The Wikipedia entry on Mohawk Airlines says “The airline was based at Ithaca Municipal Airport…until 1958, when it moved to Oneida County Airport…” so this 1951 photo may have been taken at Ithaca.
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Michael and Boss .... My pleasure, guys. And TY to both of you. As I said above to others, your interest in this old B&W pic is a tribute to Mr Larry Myers, who had the foresight to save them from being disposed of.
Peter .... Thanx, Pete. (Wave) Geesh. It never even occurred to me to research back to airports prior to Mohawk's Utica based operation. I am presently doing some digging with a friend on another matter but when we finish with that, I will go back to see if there are any historical photos taken at Ithaca. Maybe this hangar will be shown. I very much appreciate the info. (Tip of my cap to you)
Bruce DeVries
My dad, Ron DeVries, was a F-227/CV580/BAC111 with Mohawk. Hired in '68, I was a 2 yr old. We lived in New Hartford, NY while he was based at Oneida Co, then to BOS with Allegheny. 580, 111,and finally the DC-9 till he retired around '96. He lives just north of Houston, doing well both he and mom. He doesn't have many photos, but I'll tell him about this. I went on to graduate from Moody Aviation, then 28 yrs with Mission Aviation Fellowship. I fly mostly single-engine Cessnas in different countries, as well as instructing in Spokane, WA. I love these photos - keep it up!
CHRIS ROBEY
This is a truly wonderful shot Gary, and all thanks to Mr. Myers's collection.
John Giambone
Nice job documenting the history on this bird Gary! Thank You for posting/sharing!
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Chris & John .... Sincere Thanx to both of you. Very much appreciate your comments. (Wave)
Bruce >>> I am certain that your recollections are the #1 reason why Larry Myers felt it was important to save the pics and etc. he had found while cleaning out the HQ offices of the (then) defunct Mohawk Airlines. Reading your Comment, I have a single photo, taken at BUF in '68, of a pilot walking toward me and away from a BAC-111. It is a B & W Kodak 620 film shot. Wouldn't it be the most amazing irony if, after all this time, it was your dad? Bruce, I don't post pics that primarily feature people here because I don't believe this gallery is meant to be a "Facebook / Selfie" style gallery, but I'd sure like to get this pic of the pilot to you. Even if it isn't your dad, he may recognize the guy. (My pic used to be on Larry's site but that is shut down now.) If you are perhaps interested, do not post an e/m addy here. Instead, e/m to [email protected] (The word Olde has an "e,' don't forget the "e.") Give me a day or two as starting today I am hosting an aviation photographer's visit to my area. I'll send that B & W to you. (Wave)
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Peter ... I did discover one old historic photo, taken at Ithaca'a airport back in that time frame, that showed a hangar. There was a distinct difference between the one seen here and the one in that pic. Of course, that does not rule out the possibility that this photo was snapped there but I wanted to let you know I did look into it.
BIGDJB
I used to fly Mohawk back in the late 60's and early 70's. Thanks because this brings back lots of memories as I flew out of Elmira/ Corning and Binghamton NY plus I flew them to many other airports in New York. Thanks for the Memories.
Chuck Pergiel
I'm looking for 'the previous picture in my folder' but I'm not having much luck. I found this one in your photos, but the photos on either side of it are modern jets.
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Chuck -- read your Comment and tried to post a link to the other one but it isn't working. Easiest way is to click on my name here, when my folder pops up, go to SORT BY and, using the pull down list, scroll down to NEWEST. The folder will reopen showing my NEWEST posts and the two Mohawk pics will be side-by-side. Sorry you had difficulty.
BIGDJB --- I've met aviation photogs (much younger than me, but then, just about everybody is) who claim they have always heard that Mohawk was a poor service airline. But every single person I've met or talked with who, as I did, actually flew on Mohawk has had nothing but praise and fond memories. Mohawk was an excellent regional service airline. (Now, on the other hand, Lake Central ...!#?#%?!#......). TY for commenting and I'm very happy you enjoyed this pic.
john cook
Thank you Gary for bringing us these photos.
adelma
Hi Gary - love the photo and the history. It's likely that I saw this airplane in the late 40's - early 50's when I was growing up near Albany. Got my private ticket at ALB in 1954, and almost got run over (on the ground) by a Mohawk DC-3 while I was taxying a Cub! Maybe this one!!
James Fawls
The lightning bolt stripe is familiar from old American Airlines fleet. Could this Mohawk plane have been recently acquired from American and retained a bit of the old paint job?
Bob Sullivan
Thanks for the addt'l info.
David Swiglo
Gary, thank you very much for uploading this photo it is one I do not have any in my collection of tail number N33370/N410D. I have to tell you I got goosebumps when I came across it. I have some pictures of how this aircraft ended up. Sitting in a house in Hoffman Estates Illinois. This was my grandparents house and I was like 6 years old when the crash happened. I would say I have become obsessed with this plane to learn all I can about it. A model of its sister playing tail number N400D, is on display at the American airlines museum in DFW Texas at their headquarters. I'm always looking for more information on Robinson airlines and Mohawk airlines to try and learn more about this airframe.

Once again thank you for what you're doing it is greatly appreciated.
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
John, Don, James, Bob, and David >>> Hi to you all and TY for your comments. James, that lightning bolt cheatline (which certainly does closely resemble the old AA livery bolt) was Mohawk's actual scheme when this pic was taken. The fuselage livery was changed later.
David ... I just happened to be researching my MOW pics here in FA for a bit of info which is how I saw your Comment a few minutes ago. (I only post on FA now to earn the cash that is given to av photogs here for each posted pic that meets criteria.) But when I read your Comment, I first wanted you to know that I am happy your grandparents escaped injury, and then I wanted to make this offer....
In my huge (and I do mean huge) "filing cabinet" (actually, an 8 TB external storage drive) of aircraft photos and histories from the web, I have either six or seven or so pics of N410D imbedded in your grandparents home, a photo of the newspaper story about the crash, and at least one other picture of N410D when it was still N33370 (Mohawk fleetbird). As you might expect, the photos are from that day and are therefore small and rather poor quality - but - they ARE viewable. You are most welcome to have any of my files of this aircraft: the pic of it as a MOW bird, the newspaper story of the crash, and/or the handful of photos of its demise in your grandparent's home. Now, I suspect you may already have the same photos I have or perhaps you don't want anything I have. If so, no worries; I truly understand if you decide to pass up this offer. However, if you feel you'd like to received what I have in my files, just let me know by emailing to [email protected] . PLEASE do NOT reply here - as I said above, except to get the $$ "prize" I do not participate on FA very often anymore and would easily miss seeing your response. And let me reiterate, I don't have much and 90% of what I have is not HQ (hi quality). BUT everything IS still viewable or I wouldn't have stored it in my files. And don't forget to put the "e" on the word Olde in my addy. It's [email protected] . OK. that's it. But hey, since I'm here and Thanksgiving is just over two weeks away, I'm sending Happy Thanksgiving greetings to all who supported me for the 13 years I was a contributor to FA. All my Best Wishes to you folks (far too many to ID). (Wave) gcs
de17walt
This brings back memories when I flew in one just before Mohawk went out of business, that plane was a DC 8 or 10 not sure which one. The old Oneida County Airport has been closed for many years, now local traffic flies into the old Griffis Airforce base now operated by the county of Oneida. I would love to see a major airline move there (Griffis) would save a trip to Syracuse or Albany for me.
Gary SchenauerPhoto Uploader
Hi, de17walt >>>> (Grin) You're 'dating' yourself when you recall flying on a Mohawk (it's OK; I'm constantly "dating' myself too whenever I post some old Kodak 127 or 620 film photos I snapped at BUF back in the 60s ... lol). I loved flying on Mohawk as a teen. But then I enlisted in Nov '68 and my first assignment was overseas and by the time I came back to Buffalo on leave Mohawk was kaput -- Allegheny had absorbed Mohawk in a hostile acquisition.
In regards to the Mohawk jet you flew on, Mohawk never flew DC-8s or DC-10s or any equipment that large, but they DID fly BAC-111s. In fact, Mohawk was the stateside launch customer for British Aircraft Corporation's 111s. Mohawk also began flying FH-227s and there was a plan in the works for them to buy 727s but the employee strike delayed the progression of that purchase and when the strike dragged on the final chapters of Mohawk's existence were written.
I'm not 100% certain, but I think I uploaded a photo of a Mohawk BAC-111 into my folder a few years back. I've got several B & Ws of them (including great closeup pics of the one that lost its nose gear as it was rolling along a Syracuse runway). I used to post my old pics from back in the 50s and 60s every so often here in the FA gallery until I received a message from a guy in FA saying that FA prefers to have just pics of present day aircraft and present day airlines. So I stopped posting any more oldies pics.
Anyway, I'm pleased you enjoyed this photo. It isn't one I took. I won't go into the story behind how I ended up posting this, but please be assured that a great guy named Larry Myers would have been thrilled to know you enjoyed this photo. If it wasn't for Larry, this photo would have been buried in a trash dump. (Thumbs up) (gcs)
de17walt
Gary, thanks for the comments. I really wasn't sure what type it was, but I know it had two wings and two engines lol.. I can say for sure your stories are special in that they have brought back memories for many. I was raised in Oneida County and still live just east of there in Herkimer County. Again thank you for the great stories and pics.
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