Based on a reader’s comment, I just learned that the Boeing 737-200 freighter N810TA, which I photographed before, performed a ditching near Hawaii last night. Fortunately, the pilots have been rescued!

This aircraft had its maiden flight on July 23, 1975, and was delivered to Pacific Western Airlines in Canada on October 10 of the same year. It is nearly 46 years old this year. The airframe has presumably sunk to the bottom of the sea… So I am sharing some previous photos.

At the time, I was returning to the hangar after a sightseeing flight in a Cessna 172. I walked under the fuselage of this N810TA, which was undergoing heavy maintenance, and took some snapshots. Because of the close distance, I couldn’t capture the full view, and the lighting was quite dim, so the photo quality isn’t great.

You can see the unique 737 overhead window has been sealed.

Without engines, the space under the wings is empty.

The rear cargo door has also been sealed shut.

References: Video available: Coast Guard, partners rescue 2 people from downed aircraft off Oahu

Full ATC audio review: #Boeing# 737 freighter crashes into the sea at night, 46-year-old “vintage aircraft” suffers dual engine failure!