n8431h

Convair 340, later converted to 440 then later still to 580; crashed in Canada as fire-fighter in April 2006

Convair 340, N8491H c/n 202. This aircraft was modified to become the CV-440 'Metropolitan' prototype, first flying as such on October 5, 1955. Continental was the first airline to operate the type, beginning on March 8, 1956. In 1963 it was converted to turboprop power (Allison 501-D13) by Englehardt Industries and became a Convair CV-580. It flew under nine different registrations including N30EG when it was an executive transport for Malcolm Forbes. It ended up as C-GSKJ in Canada, converted to a fire bomber aerial tanker. On May 14, 2006, while on a training flight for aerial firefighters operated by the Canadian government, it crashed at La Ronge Airport, Saskatchewan (YVC) after a failed go-around. One of four crewmen was killed.