The fatal crash in 1948 of Northwest Airlines Flight 421 revealed a serious structural problem in the wings.

[4] Despite the announcement of these large orders, the contract terms allowed the airlines to cancel them without any penalty.

At each city, comprehensive inspections were made of the aircraft systems to assess how wear or malfunction would occur.

[6] TWA and Northwest, initial customers of the 2-0-2, eventually sold theirs to California Central and Pioneer Airlines.

Later, Allegheny Airlines acquired many of the 2-0-2s as part of the company's expansion plans, beginning June 1, 1955.

Only one of this type of aircraft is known to survive,[citation needed] at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey.