NORTHROP ALPHA 3 NC999Y

This beautiful airplane was a Northrop Alpha model 3, S/N 4, converted at some point to a Alpha model 4/4A. It appears in the Grand Central Air Terminal (GCAT) Register 15 times between April and July, 1931. The photograph below, is from NASA, dated February 13, 1931,a couple of months before we find the airplane at GCAT for the first time.

Northrop Alpha NC999Y, February 13, 1931, Location Unknown (Source: NASA)

 

The pilots of all but one of the landings were unidentified, and no passengers were cited. The visit on May 8, 1931 was piloted by Harlan Hull. Please direct your browser to his link to learn about his prolific life as an aviator, and his tragic death in an airplane crash at the young age of 33.

NC999Y was owned by T.W.A. Incorporated. It was used by the airline for airmail carriage between Los Angeles and Kansas CIty, MO. Where origins and destinations were cited in the Register, they reflected that route. "Mail" was written in the remarks column of the Register by tower Operator "Wright." If you know who Wright was, please let me KNOW.

At least one other GCAT Register pilot flew NC999Y. George Rice was in the cockpit when, on November 15, 1934, at night, he crashed it in a mountainous area two miles southwest of Saugus, CA. The airplane was damaged severely, but Rice survived with minor injuries. If you direct your browser to Rice's link, you'll find a news article that describes, with photographs, the circumstances and the aftermath of the crash. While he suffered facial injuries, he maintained overnight vigil over his airplane and the mail until he was rescued.

Some years ago NC999Y was under restoration at the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, CA. Below, from the link, is a photograph taken in 2003.

Northrop Alpha NC999Y In the Restoration Shop, 2003 (Source: Chino Museum via Woodling)

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