Dates

Event

Constructed as a C-54E-15-DO by Douglas at Santa Monica, CA.

Circa 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-9142.

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 90412 as a R5D-4R.

Converted to a C-54R.

7 February 1982

To Services Organized Inc, Mercer Island, WA with new c/r N96361.

1 March 1982

Certificate of airworthiness for N96361 (C-54, 90412) issued.

By 23 December 1986

Based with Central Air Services.

23 December 1986

Crashed.
The accident occurred at Pacific Ocean, WA, United States while cruising. The damage was substantial. The pilot reported that he ditched his DC-4 in the pacific ocean on the evening of December 23 after experiencing an uncontrollable #3 engine fire at the conclusion of a training flight...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

23 December 1986

It is possible this aircraft was involved in a case of insurance fraud where it was falsely written off. It was reported to have ditched in the Pacific Ocean off Arlington, WA.

Operated as fire service #109.

23 December 1986

To Maricopa Aircraft Inc, Tucson, AZ with new c/r NR6816D (C54D-DC, 44-9142).

23 December 1986

On behalf of the owner stored with/at Central Air Service, Marana Northwest Regional Airport (formerly Avra Valley Airport), Marana, AZ.
View the Location Dossier

23 December 1986

Crashed.
Summary: The airframe was a loss. It was a local training flight from Arlington Municipal Airport, WA (AWO/KAWO), United States of America. The accident occurred at off Arlington, WA (United States of America) while en route. Narrative: The aircraft suffered an uncontrollable no. 3 engine fire and ditched in the Pacific Ocean.
For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

In derelict condition.

By April 1994

Photographer: Unknown

3 April 1995

Civil registration, N96361, cancelled.

25 July 1996

Photographer: Mike Henniger
Notes: Photographed at Chandler, AZ.

October 1996

Photographer: Peter M. Garwood
Notes: Douglas DC-4 N6816D, Avra Valley, AZ.

6 June 1997

To Central Air Service Inc, E Wenatchee, WA with new c/r N6816D.

1 August 2000

To American Aircraft Sales/Michael Coutches, Hayward, CA.
It appears the airframe was not moved from Marana. It was spotted in Marana in September 2011.
View the Location Dossier

1 August 2000

To Maricopa Aircraft Inc, Tucson, AZ keeping c/r N6816D.

1 January 2001

Certificate of airworthiness for NR6816D (C54D-DC, 44-9142) issued.

21 March 2007

Photographer: John Bennett
Notes: Photo taken at Marana Northwest Regional Airport, AZ, USA

8 September 2011

Photographer: Mike Henniger

26 August 2015

To Maricopa Aircraft Inc, Rantoul, KS keeping c/r N6816D.

17 December 2018

Civil registration, N6816D, cancelled.

5 April 2023

Photographer: Cassidy Cristello
Notes: N6816D is now in the possession of Planetags, which took her apart to sell her parts off to collectors and enthusiasts. Sad to see her condition, especially compared to the other C-54s at Marana.