Bearcat Accident in Breckenridge, 4/4/12

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 8:56 pm

Very sad to hear this news. I remember meeting Mr. Pardue and Mr. Hinton at Wings Over Houston several years ago for the first time.

This photo was from last year's Wings Over Houston. Mr. Pardue's Bearcat was parked next to the ALS L-5 on Friday when I took it.

How very sad.

I will be praying for his family.

Ryan Short

Robbie Stuart · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:06 pm

I will admit, that I had to clear the tears out of my eye's before I could respond to this tragic news.

I have redone my reply 5 times, & I just don't know what to add, other than what's been said.

I met Howard, & Fast Eddie back in the early 80's, when I was the Maint Officer of the Cajun Wing of the CAF. We did a lot of shows together (I was also the Crew Chief for the late Merle Gustafson, F4U-4 "Angle Of Okinawa")

We had a show, here in my hometown in Atlanta back in 83, & Merle & Howard did a dual Corsair routine, that was GREAT! I wish you guy's could have seen it!

I sorry if my thoughts "are all over the place", I am just really upset!

GOD Bless you Howard, & GOD be with all affected by this.

Robbie

Canso42 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:25 pm

Bummer..... I just read the news link that Jeff H posted on LSFM off-topic. I'd crossed paths with Howard and seen him fly numerous times in the past decade at airshows, but the first time I saw him and I believe the first time I can remember seeing a high performance warbird fighter put through its paces was in 1986 at Easterwood airpost in College Station, Tx. The show was hosted by the old Aggie Wing CAF and he was the only pilot whose name stuck with me from that show.

Xrayist · **Joined:** Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:51 am **Posts:** 336

Howard arranged for my first warbird ride. It was in the B-25 Silver Lady at an air show in Loveland, CO. I then met him again at the Denver Air Races a few years later. He remembered me well and we had a nice talk. It was an honor to have met him and spent time talking to him. Thanks again Howard. God speed.

Dave Lindauer · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:34 pm

Howard gave me my first warbird ride, in the back seat of his FG-1, then got me up a the nose of Bill Arnot's Silver Lady for a tight formation flight with Howard in his FM-2. A terrible loss. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

C VEICH · **Joined:** Sun Nov 15, 2009 12:40 pm **Posts:** 1473

I never had the pleasure of meeting Howard but I was priviledged to have seen him perform on multiple occassions in both the Bearcat and Wildcat. His loss will no doubt leave a sizeable hole in the warbird community. My sincerest condolances to all who are affected by this tragedy.

Planes of Fame airshow 2011

corsair166b · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:43 pm

I have felt like, ever since I heard the news this afternoon, I've had a Corsair dropped on me....

Denise and I have known Howard well over 20 years now, since back in the days when there was still an Aspen airshow and his Sea Fury or Bearcat was always on the ramp for a week before the show (he had a place in Aspen and was a frequent visitor)....we used to look forward to Memorial day weekends and making the long drive from Colorado to Breckenridge TX for the warbird show down there until it folded about 1998 or so. We always talked with Howard and Nelson and played with the dog, Denise's daughter danced with Howard one year and managed a ride with Connie's son on board the Albatross he brought that year, just absolutely magical times. Some folks you meet in passing in the airshow world, you have a spectacular weekend in their company and then you never see them again due to the sheer size of this country, others you see again and again because you are just that lucky....Howard was one of those and it was always a pleasure to see him. I will always recall what he said to us when Denise and I caught up to him some years ago at Duxford airfield in the UK...."You guys sure came a long way to say HI!"....typical dry humor out of Howard but it brings up a smile now. I cannot, in any descriptive enough way, tell you how much he will be missed by us. He had a good long life and he went out doing what he loved most, flying warbirds. I will see you again, my friend....but not yet. Not yet.

Mark Morris and Denise Jorgensen

Jesse C. · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:03 pm

My prayers and condolences to his family, friends and the warbird community for such a tremendous loss.

Vaya Con Dios

Jesse Chavez

Braveheart51 · **Joined:** Mon Aug 30, 2010 10:22 am **Posts:** 49

My T-6G has the same paint job as his Bear Cat

Race 22 Crew · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:15 pm

Always a fan of Howard, whether at airshows or watching him round the pylons at Reno. Still in shock after finding this. My prayers for his family and friends.

Warren Laurendine
Crewmember
Race 22 - Tin Lizzie
T-6 Class

sdennison · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:37 pm

I never enjoyed the pleasure of a meeting but what a eulogy! Truly a man who inspired many.
A terrible loss of a great man and a great airplane. God bless.

Wildchild · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:43 pm

I will say this... The news report was kind of vague, so has any further details been released?

And once again RIP Howard.

Zachary · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:45 pm

I'm saddened by this loss to the warbirds community. I never had the privilege of knowing Mr. Pardue, but I did get to see him fly a couple of times. It's obvious that many of you are hurting right now...hug your loved ones for you never know when they'll be gone. Rest in peace Mr. Pardue, and as Lynn said, give our best to Gary when you see him.

Zack

Ztex · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:47 pm

2010 Wings over Houston...

Tim L · **Posted:** Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:25 pm

Horrible news. R.I.P. Mr. Pardue, you will be greatly missed. I really hope this year is better than last, but this is not a good start. :cry:

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Bearcat Accident in Breckenridge, 4/4/12

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