Mitchell "Old Glory" down!

Saturday 19 September 2020 was a bad day for David Prescott, owner of North American B-25J N7946C, as his Mitchell crash-landed in Stockton (CA). According to the local police, the San Joaquin County Sheriff, the aircraft is substantially damaged but the crew is fortunately O.K. On the photos released by the Sheriff, it is obvious that the starboard engine has been completely ripped off.

The Mitchell was on a flight from Chino (CA) to Vacaville (CA) and Stockton (CA). En route, they encountered an unexpected situation and were forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed into an irrigation ditch in an open field in the area of Roberts Road and Muller Road, west of Stockton Metropolitan Airport.

The bomber was built as a B-25J-15-NC with serial 44-28938 (construction number 108-33263) and delivered to the USAAF on 9 August 1944. She was originally assigned to the 12th Air Force in Italy and returned to the US in July 1945 after which the bomber was stored at South Plains (TX).

In 1946 she was modified by Hayes and redesignated as a TB-25N. After nearly 10 years of service at McClellan, the aircraft was retired from service in December 1957. Only two months later, the B-25 received the civilian registration NC7946C and was, later that year converted into a firebomber, flying as tanker #4. This utility role ended in 1975 when N7964C was sold and became a warbird. Flying as "Dream Lover" she was damaged in a forced landing near Reno (NV) in September 1982. "Dream Lover" was repaired and changed ownership several times.

In December 1994 Chaver Aviation Inc. of Tulsa (OK) became owner and changed the aircraft’s name into "Spirit of Tulsa” Later, in September 1995, she became "Old Glory". In August of 2019, she was purchased by David Prescott of Proair Aviation, the current owner.