N3251G Johnson #A15 / Bu# 91398

Early History

United States Navy. TBM-3. Construction #: 4303.

91398 R-156_NAR NewYorkNY_1948 — US Navy Avenger 156 at the Naval Air Reserve (NAR) New York in 1948, as identified by the BuNo 91398 on the tail. Source not known.

Johnson Flying Service, Missoula, MT
#A15 N3251G 1963-1970

Aerial Spray Program – NB, Newfoundland
1966 – Pilot Shaughnessy. 1967-1968 – Probably did not fly in NB. 1969 – Flew in NB and Newfoundland. Pilot Bob Graves. 1970 – Barrie MacLeod tallied N3251G, #A15, at the Fredericton airport, 25 May 1970. Pilot Bob Graves.

1970 – Crashed 29 May 1970 on takeoff at Dunphy airstrip, Upper Blackville, NB, on the right side of the takeoff runway. Pilot Bob Graves was unhurt, but the aircraft was destroyed and burned. The cause was heavy frost on the right wing (left wing was OK). The Department of Transport accident card reads as follows: “A/c loaded 0610. Start-up and taxi normal. Pilot noticed that frost existed over right wing. Take-off normal to 70 knots. At lift-off, right wing dropped, pilot unable to bring wing up although full aileron applied. Right wing tip struck ground and a/c cartwheeled. Throttle at T/O power throughout ride at 47″ (2800 RPM).” Damage was substantial.