N400CP

I have a question why would a tail number be deregistered and then reregistered to almost the same type of plane. My dad was a cooperate pilot for an 1121 Aero Commander tail #N400CP It disappeared from radar, 3 minutes after takeoff departing Burlington International Airport in1971.

The tail number now belongs to Israel Aircraft Industries Astra SPX

Thanks

re-using tail numbers is very common in the USA, many corporate jet operators regually transfer the tail number onto their new jet.

Was your father George Nikita or Donald Meyers? I think about that plane often. It's is the only lost plane in the Adirondacks.