Aero Commuter DHC-6 Twin Otter 100                            (c/n 105)

                                                                

                                   Delivered new in February of 1968, this 100 series Twin Otter went to Cable Commuter as
                                   N17132 and operated in Southern California commuter services.    In July of 1969 it, along
                                   with Aero Commuter and Skymark airlines merged to form Golden West Airlines. My shot
                                   of the aircraft above was taken at Long Beach Municipal Airport (as it was then) after it had
                                   been transferred to Aero Commuter and just before the merger, hence its 'GW' registration..
                                   The Twin Otter was sold to Pilgrim Airlines of Boston in February 1970 as N127PM. .
                                   It was written off in a crash when it landed on a frozen reservoir near Providence, RI on
                                   21 February 1982.  A problem with the deicing equipment caused  smoke and fire in the
                                   cockpit.  One passenger was killed.  All other 11 occupants of the aircraft survived.