NX14988 was the first DC-3 (DST-144). DST means Douglas Sleeper Transport, and it was the original variant of the DC-3 commercial airliner. There were no prototypes built: NX14988 was a production airplane and went to American Airlines (NC14988). At the beginning of World War II, NC14988 was placed in military service, designated C-49E Skytrooper with the serial number 42-43619. On 15 October 1942, it crashed at Chicago killing the 2-man crew and all seven passengers. Photo: McDonnell Douglas Corporation.