Lynch flying service


				Douglas A/B-26 Invader Lynch flying service



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The Lynch STOL 26 configuration

Fire Eaters

The making of "Always"

John Dennis “Denny” Lynch passed away suddenly Friday, Dec. 30, 2005, at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings due to heart complications.

Denny was born in Shelby Nov. 21, 1935. He was the second of six children born to John F. and Mildred (Bell) Lynch. He attended Central Catholic High School and grew up with a passion for flying.

Earning his private pilot license in 1952, he began a long and adventurous career in aviation. He joined the Army in 1954 and spent the next three years in Germany. Returning home, he flew for Morrison-Knutsen and Fuller Webb, flying to the Minute Man Missile sites throughout Montana and Wyoming. Pioneers in aviation, his father and uncle TW Lynch founded Lynch Flying Service in 1940, and Denny went to work for them in the late 1950s.

Denny met and married the love of his life, Loretta Buck, on June 27, 1959, at St. Patrick’s Church. They spent the next 41 years together raising their five kids, enjoying life and indulging their grandkids.

In 1964, Denny spun off a new entity under the family company: Lynch Air Tankers and purchased his first B-26. For the next 30 years, his reputation for quality and safety in forest fire fighting was renowned in the “tanker” industry. Partnering with Tom Lynch and Bob Palmersheim, they took over the family business in 1970.

He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson and dancing at the Legion. Flying his Cessna 310 to visit family and friends and making a grand entrance was always a special treat. Denny belonged to many aviation associations such as the MT Pilots Association, National Air Tanker Association, QB’s and the American Legion. One of his career highlights was joining the Screen Actors Guild and flying his B-26’s “Tankers 57 & 59” as a stunt pilot in the movie “Always” by Steven Spielberg.

Ask any pilot who flew the original A-26's and they would attest to the sometimes unforgiving characteristics of the aeroplane, especially on take off and landing, so much so that owners such as Denny Lynch were forced to redesign certain aspects of the wing in order to compensate for the varied flying conditions experienced during air tanker duties.

The above photo was generously donated by Zane Adams of Arlington, TX

Serial #: 44-35497
Construction #:
28776
Civil Registration:
N3426G
C-FOVC
Model(s):
A-26C
RB-26C
STOL 26
Name: Safe Passage
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2003
History:
Trade school, Instructional Airframe.
Johnson Flying Service, Missoula, MT, 1961-1970.
- Registered as N3426G.
- Arrived in black USAF scheme, converted to fire tanker.
- Flew as tanker #A17.
Evergreen Air, Missoula, MT, 1975-1977.
- Flew as tanker #A17.
Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, 1977-1992.
- Converted to Lynch STOL 26.
- Flown as tanker #56.
Air Spray Ltd, Red Deer, Alberta, circa 1995-2003.
- Registered as C-FOVC.
- Flown as tanker #56/Safe Passage.

The above photo was generously donated by Zane Adams of Arlington, TX

Serial #: 44-34121
Construction #: 27400
Civ. Registration:
N4805E
C-GHZM
Model(s):
A-26B
Consort 26
STOL 26
Name: None
Status: Stored
Last info: 2007
History:
Delivered to USAAF as 44-34121
- Stored at Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, Mar. 6, 1958.
- Surplused, June 11, 1958.
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1969.
- Registered as N4085E.
- Converted to Rock Island Consort 26 configuration, Hutchinson, KS.
Koch Industries Inc, Wichita, KS, 1972
Reeder Flying Service, Twin Falls, ID
- Converted to tanker but not used.
Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, 1975-1992.
- Flown as tanker #58.
- Converted to Lynch STOL 26 configuration by Lynch.
Jerry Slater, Seattle, WA, Sept. 25, 1992.
Tony N. Grout, Spanaway, WA, ?Aug. 10, 1993-2000.
Air Spray Ltd, Red Deer, Alberta, Jan. 18, 2001-2007.
- Registered as C-GHZM.
- Stored Red Deer, 2001-2002.
- Engines and control services removed.
- Marked as tanker #58.

I was contacted by Marko, who sent in the above shot and who pointed out that "4818" now resides in Locust Grove GA. Thanks Marko for updating the site

Serial #: 44-35371
Construction #: 28650
Civil Registration:
N4818E
Model(s):
A-26C
TB-26C
STOL 26
Name: None
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2002

History:
Rock Island Oil & Refining Co, Wichita, KS, 1960-1966.
- Registered as N4818E.
- Planned conversion to Monarch 26 not completed.
- Stored, unrestored, Hutchinson, KS.
Consolidated Air Parts Corp, Los Angeles, CA, 1967.
Denny Lynch/Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, 1967-2002.
- Converted to Lynch STOL 26 tanker.
- Flew as tanker #A28 (later #59).
- Damaged when nose gear collapsed on landing, Billings, MT, June 28, 1975.
-- repaired.

Note

NTSB Identification: SEA75FTA22
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Event occurred Saturday, June 28, 1975 in BILLINGS, MT
Aircraft: DOUGLAS B-26, registration: N4818E

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2592  75/6/28    BILLINGS,MT         DOUGLAS B-26        CR-  0  0  2  MISCELLANEOUS             AIRLINE TRANSPORT, AGE
        TIME - 1000                    N4818E              PX-  0  0  0  TEST                      35, 3975 TOTAL HOURS, 210
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - BILLINGS
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BILLINGS,MT                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF AIRCRAFT (MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL)
           AIRFRAME - LANDING GEAR: NOSEWHEEL STEERING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DISCONNECTED
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - VIBRATION,EXCESSIVE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON AIRPORT
                                  SUSPECTED MECHANICAL DISCREPANCY
        REMARKS- NOSE GEAR SCISSOR NOT CONNECTED AFTER TOWING.

The above shot was sent in by Scott Lindley via his brother

Serial #: 44-34102
Construction #: 27381
Civil Registration:
N4060A
Model(s):
A-26B
B-26C
STOL 26
Name: None
Status: Destroyed
Last info: 2009 Reisdes in Locust Grove, GA.

History:
John M. Sliker, Wadley, GA, 1966.
- Registered N4060A.
Kern Air Inc, Worland, WY, 1969-1970.
Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, 1972-1983.
- Flew as tanker #01.
- Modified to Lynch STOL 26 configuration.
- Crashed while fire bombing, Hubbards Fork, KY, Mar. 5, 1983.

Note

NTSB Identification: ATL83FA127 .
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 21776.
14 CFR Public Use
Accident occurred Saturday, March 05, 1983 in HUBBARDS FORK, KY
Aircraft: DOUGLAS B-26C, registration: N4060A
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

THE PLT & ACFT HAD BEEN FIGHTING FOREST FIRES EARLIER IN THE DAY. A LATE DEVELOPING FIRE NECESSITATED ANOTHER DISPATCH. THE ACFT ARRIVED ON SCENE & CHECKED IN WITH THE LEAD ACFT CIRCLING OVERHEAD COORDINATING THE FIRE FIGHTING EFFORTS. THE TANKER MADE 2 RUNS OVER THE FIRE AREA FOLLOWING THE LEAD ACFT. AFTER THE 2ND RUN, THE ACFT BANKED LEFT IN A LEVEL TURN TO MAKE ANOTHER RUN WITHOUT USING THE LEAD ACFT. DURING THE 3RD RUN THE TANKER STRUCK TREES NEAR THE TOP OF A 1800 FT RIDGELINE. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND REMARKED HOW LOW THE ACFT WAS. ACCORDING TO THE PLT'S PEERS, HE TOOK PRIDE IN DOING HIS JOB WELL & ALWAYS STROVE TO PUT THE CHEMICAL RIGHT ON TARGET. THERE HAD BEEN OCCASIONS IN THE PAST WHERE THIS ZEAL TO SUCCEED HAD RESULTED IN HIS GOING LOWER THAN THE 150 FT AGL MINIMUM ALTITUDE MANDATED BY FORESTRY SERVICE REGS. HE HAD, ON OCCASIONS, RETURNED TO BASE WITH TREE FOLIAGE STUCK IN HIS AIRCRAFT.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

PROPER ALTITUDE..NOT MAINTAINED..PILOT IN COMMAND
OVERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY..PILOT IN COMMAND

Contributing Factors
TERRAIN CONDITION..MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY

Serial #: 44-35425
Construction #: 28704
Civil Registration:
N3427G
Model(s):
A-26C
B-26B
Name: None
Status: Wrecked
Last info: 1976

History:
Delivered to French AF as 44-35425.
- BOC: Apr. 6, 1954.
- Based in Indochina.
- Returned to USAF, Aug. 31, 1954.
Aero Enterprises, Inc.
- Registered as N3427G.
Pacific Flight Services Inc, Angwin, CA, 1963-1964.
James L. Shipley/Kem-Air, Worland, WY, 1966-1970.
- Flew as tanker #B27.
Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, 1973-1976.
- Flew as tanker #B27 (later #59).
- Crashed while fire-bombing, Grand Junction, CO, Aug. 8, 1976.

Note

NTSB Identification: DEN76AD062
14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation
Event occurred Sunday, August 08, 1976 in GRAND JUNCTION, CO
Aircraft: DOUGLAS A-26B, registration: N3427G

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3123   76/8/8  NR.GRAND JUNCTION,CO  DOUGLAS A-26B       CR-  1  0  0  COMMERCIAL                ATP,FLIGHT INSTR., AGE
        TIME - 1618                    N3427G              PX-  0  0  0  FIRE CONTROL              39, 4100 TOTAL HOURS, 500
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          GRAND JUNCTION,CO           LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FLEW INTO BLIND CANYON
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      77
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          135                                                       20
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- WIND GUSTS TO 25K. DENSITY ALT ABT 9700FT.FIRE SUPPRESION. STALLED DRG STEEP BANK.

Serial #:
44-34198
64-17679
Construction #: 27477
Civil Register:
N269G
C-GXTG
N4988N
Model:
B-26K
A-26A
Name: None
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2002
History:
Rebuilt as B-26K by On Mark,Apr. 15, 1965.
- Serial number 44-34198.
Delivered to USAF as 64-17679, Oct. 1969-1971.
State Of Georgia Forestry Commission, Macon, GA, 1971-1977.
- Registered as N269G.
- Stored unconverted, Macon, GA, 1972-1977.
Air Spray Ltd, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 1977.
- Registered as C-GXTG.
- Not delivered.
- Damaged by heavy landing during test flight, Macon, GA, 1977.
Arnie Carnegie, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 1978.
- Purchased damaged aircraft.
Denny Lynch/Lynch Flying Service, Billings, MT, Sept. 25, 1978-2001.
- Rebuilt, Macon, GA, 1978.
- Delivered to Billings, MT, 1978.
- Flew un USAF camoflage as IF 679.
- Withdrawn from use, Billings, MT, 1979-2001.
Denny Lynch/Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, Sept. 7, 2001-2002.
- Restored to airworthy.
- Flown in USAF camoflage as IF 679.

Serial #: 41-39303
Construction #: 7016
Civil Registration:
N5589A
Model(s):
A-26B
B-26C
Name:
City Of Santa Rosa
Status: Restoration
Last info: 2002
History:
W.C. Powell, Tereboro, NJ, 1958.
- Registered as N5589A.
Charles Woods Homes Inc, Dothan, AL, 1964-1966.
Alabama Institute Of Aviation Tech, Ozark, AL, 1969.
Paramount Inc, Atlanta, GA, 1970.
John M. Sliker, Wadley, GA, 1970-1972.
John J. Stokes/Central Texas Aviation, San Marcos, TX, 1977.
- Dismantled.
Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, 1978-1992.
- Stored dismantled.
Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa, CA, 1993-2002.
- Trucked from Billings to Santa Rosa, 1992.
- Undergoing restoration.
- To be displayed as 44-34324/"City Of Santa Rosa".

Serial #: 44-35439
Construction #: 28718
Civil Registration:
N74833
Model: A-26C
Name: None
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 1992
History:
Delivered to French AF as 44-35439.
- BOC: Apr. 6, 1954.
- Based in Indochina.
- Returned to USAF, Sept. 4, 1954.
JPR Corp, c/o Madden-Smith Aircraft Corp, Miami, FL, 1963-1969.
- Registered as N74833.
John M. Sliker, Wadley, GA, 1970-1972.
John J. Stokes, San Marcos, TX, 1977-1979.
Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, May 4, 1979-1990.
- Not converted to tanker, used as spares airframe.
- Restored to airworthy, Billings, MT, 1989.
-- Marked as USAF/435439.
Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinville, OR, Mar. 1990-1992.
- Flew as USAF 435439.
- Withdrawn from use and stored, 2001.

The above two shots were supplied by Neil Aird, visit his anzing site

Serial #: 44-35721
Construction #: 29000
Civil Registration:
N9425Z
Model(s):
A-26C
B-26C
Lynch STOL 26
Name: None
Status: Displayed
Last info: 2002
History:
Central Oregon Aerial Co., Inc, Bend Or, 1963-1964
- Registered as N9425Z
Lynch Air Tankers, Billings, MT, 1966-1992
- Flown as tanker #A24 (later #57).
- Converted to Lynch STOL 26 configuration.
Robert J. Pond/Planes Of Fame East, Minneapolis-Fling Cloud, MN, Sept. 1992-1997.
- Flew as 435721/Fire Eaters-Always.
- Restored as USN/435721/BP Invader, Chino, CA, 1993.
Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, CA, 1997-2002.

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