S/N 124 — The New Ryan

Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of S/N 154

124

ST-A

NC16035 N14987 (S/N 119)

July 1936

571

Unknown

Menasco C-4 125 HP SN 207

Fahlin 725 SN 1985

Airworthy (stored)

Serial Number

Model

Registration

Date of Manufacturing

ATC

Price (USD)

Engine

Propeller

Current Status

History

The airplane was sold new through Major Hugh Watson on July 17th, 1936 to W.J. Atkinson. He used it for pleasure mainly and then sold it to Joe Jacobson in May 1940. It was used in the advanced CPTP program.

John Piersma was apparently the next owner, sometime just before November 1945. He found it to be quite a ground looper. After some study he redesigned the landing gear and tail-wheel which made it more manageable.

It is reported he had ``girl students``, and instructors, as well as the elderly flying the aircraft with no problems. (reported in a pre politically correct world)

As of about September 1947 it was purchased by John Janicki in a damaged condition, it had apparently had a minor accident and ended up on its back.

Via an interesting note, according to a Mr. Lloyd Hood, a Ryan ST-A made a forced landing at “armory” off culver Avenue in the city of Utica, New York (a city square block) with two Chinese pilots aboard around early 1940`s summertime. No NC number confirmed so it may not have been this Ryan.

According to John Piersma, a student landed it in a gravel bed off the end of the runway in Herkimer, new York and wrecked it.

The Ryan was then re-built by two Utica mechanics two years later and was completely wrecked again on the first take off when the engine quit. The remains were sold for salvage. Neither man was hurt. Apparently the remaining parts were found and rebuilt into a complete aircraft by John Gotchoff, and made airworthy.

The aircraft is listed as being involved in an accident on June 26th, 1993 at Fresno California. The listed owner at the time was John F. Richards. The Pilot and a passenger (Bill Ahern) were involved in a landing accident which resulted in control being lost, and the aircraft exiting the runway and ending up on its nose. Injuries were limited to minor cuts to Mr. Richards, and two broken fingers and a stiff neck to Mr Ahern, but substantial damage was listed. The pilot reported the aircraft suffered a partial loss of power and a landing was carried out on an abandoned runway.

Factors associated and reported by the pilot were high vegetation on both sides of the runway, and a left quartering tailwind.

The aircraft was restored back to an airworthy condition.

John R. Richards 81 years old, of Ventura California, is shown as the registered owner as of 2013, and has been the owner since at least 1993. John Richards is very active in Sprint cars, Motorcycle racing and Vintage aircraft.

N14987 is currently hangared at Santa Paula Airport, kept in airworthy condition but has not flown for many years