By: kev35 - 12th April 2004 at 08:32
Very, very pleased to hear he’s all right. As for the aircraft? Well, I’d much rather lose the airframe than the crew every time. If it’s repairable great. If not it doesn’t really matter, even if it was irreplaceable. Mr Pardue, and all those like him we see at airshows ARE irreplaceable.
Regards,
kev35
By: Paul Rix - 12th April 2004 at 04:08
The important thing is that the pilot walked away. Looking at the aircraft on it’s back like that reminds me of Paul Morgan’s Sea Fury accident which had such a tragic outcome.
By: Chris Broad - 12th April 2004 at 03:21
Great to hear that he is ok. My heart skipped a beat when i first read this thread!
The cat looks ok, but remember the forces on the structure when it overturns. Warbirds are a lot heavier than modern aircraft of similar size and the forces on the fuselage when in this type of accident may well be worse than can at first be evident. Remember BF109 Black 6 when it overturned, it broke its back.
lets hope for the best though, and just be thankful that Mr Pardue is ok.
By: Corsair166b - 12th April 2004 at 03:12
Alright, well…it seems most of you already know what happened as detailed in the posts above, and Howard is alright…I have a photo of the Wildcat passed on from several friends to me and I attach it here for the benefit of all readers on this forum…Howard is a character and he is hard to get to talking, but once he starts he’ll talk your ear off, especially if it’s about something he likes (like flying or warbirds)…my own and my partner Denise’s relationship with him goes back to the Breckenridge shows in the early 90’s, we loved those shows, and Denise has several photos of Howard dancing with her daughter to country music and he remains a good friend to this day….I just have to wonder (and marvel) at his luck and hope that it holds. He is a great character and friend and if you have’nt met him, i encourage you to do so next time he climbs out of the Hellcat at Legends (or whihc ever plane they put him in)….it’ll be well worth your time.
Mark
By: Mark12 - 12th April 2004 at 01:03
Great news.
qoute:
Caption to photograph.
“Remarks: Sat. 04-10-2004 about 12:00 noon Howard was rolling out after landing at Burnet Airport, Tx. When his right brake locked up and cat went over on its back. After about thirty minutes they got Howard out and he walked away o.k. but very upset. He then rented a car a drove back to Houston”
……………………………………………………………………
A larger than life character – I met him on several occasions in the US.
He looked like he could play the villain in a James Bond film.
Mark
By: crazymainer - 12th April 2004 at 00:43
Hi Pegasus,
Thanks for the photo link it looks like the engine mont might have been damage notice the ckin wrappage in the cowling other than that it looks like the wings are alright.
By: 334_Pegasus - 12th April 2004 at 00:30
By: crazymainer - 11th April 2004 at 22:36
Hi All,
Just heard that Howards OK some cuts and brusies, It seems he lost a brake at the end of roll-out and the Wildcat flipped, Howard was trapped for 45 minutes till he was dug out.
The plane appears to have substane some serious damage thou.
Maybe its time for Howard to think about hanging up the spur’s
By: trumper - 11th April 2004 at 13:52
any news updates,keeping fingers crossed:(
By: bentwingbomber - 11th April 2004 at 08:43
Always enjoy my long chats with Howard at Legends!!
Glad to hear he is ok
When he crashed in the corsair he was flying again the next day
They make em tough in the Marine corps……
By: Stieglitz - 11th April 2004 at 08:33
Sad news, but the most important is to hear that the pilot survived. Sometimes you need to have a little luck in life.
I hope this was the last crash-experience for Mr. Pardue.
By: Bradburger - 11th April 2004 at 07:05
No probs Mark.
Just hope that ‘cuts and bruises’ were all that he sustained.
Lets us know the full details when you find out more.
Cheers
Paul
By: Corsair166b - 11th April 2004 at 05:28
Much appreciated…breathing a bit easier now, Paul, thanks…God, one has to wonder how much luck Howie has left after busting open his Corsair, getting run over by a Corsair while in his Bearcat, and now busting up his Wildcat….maybe someone’s trying to send him a message…
Mark
By: Bradburger - 11th April 2004 at 05:16
Mark,
According to the WIX Board, it happend at the Bluebonnet show in Burnet, TX.
The latest posts seem to suggest he got away lightly. Cuts and bruises apparently.
Lets hope that is the case.
Cheers
Paul
By: Corsair166b - 11th April 2004 at 05:02
Well, THIS is gonna drive me nuts, it’s too late here to call back east to find anything out…called Nelson’s hangar, got no answer, called Howard’s house and got his machine…I reckon it probably happened in Florida, as we’re only 3 days from the start of Sun and Fun and he usually goes there…will have to try to reach an English friend who will be at the show and see if I can get the details…anyone who finds out ANYTHING please post it here, he is a good friend and me and my photographic partner need to know what is going on and if he’s alright…
Keeping my fingers crossed-
Mark
By: Corsair166b - 11th April 2004 at 04:37
Crap Crap CRAP crap crap….hope he’s alright…better get the phone lines going, I’ll try Breckenridge, maybe Nelson’ll be in and can tell me more…hope to god Howard’s alright! I’ll let you all know what I find out.
Mark
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April 11, 2004 at 4:09 am