Hello. New to the group and a novice aircraft researcher. Wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction on locating a 1943 Lockheed Loadstar that went missing in 1978. It was converted to civilian use in 1976. Any info would help. Thanks for your time.

Do you have any numbers or who owned the aircraft, or any information to assist with the search?

What I found:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56-23 LodeStar in Durbin: 3 killed
Date & Time: May 1, 1978 at 0300 LT
Type of aircraft: Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator: Wiley C. Puckett
Registration: N9051
Flight Phase: Flight
Flight Type: Illegal (smuggling)
Survivors: No
Site: Plain, Valley
MSN: 2517
YOM: 1943
Location: Durbin Florida
Country: United States of America
Region: North America
Crew on board: 2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board: 1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities: 3
Captain / Total flying hours: 8000
Circumstances: While flying by night at low altitude, the twin engine airplane struck obstacles and crashed in flames. All three occupants were killed. Illegal flight suspected. Customs agents were looking for the aircraft
Probable cause: Controlled flight with ground during low pass after the pilot-in-command misjudged altitude.
Final Report: