NTSB report of accident.

Quote

Witnesses who were traveling on a nearby roadway, reported observing
the airplane approximately 200 feet AGL on approach to Elleington
Field trailing a twin-engine (B-25) bomber aircraft. Several witnesses
stated the airplane had executed a series of 360-degree steep turns to
allow for spacing between the slower aircraft that were on approach to
the airport. During a right turn, the airplane pitched nose up, the
wings "wobbled", the airplane descended and entered a partial spin.
One witness stated it appeared the airplane, approximately 50 feet
AGL, attempted to level off, however, then impacted the terrain in a
nose down attitude. Another witness stated the propeller was turning
and did not notice any problems with the airplane or engine. The
witnesses did not observe any smoke or fire from the airplane prior to
the impact.

Unquote


Big John


On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 18:24:29 -0500, Big John
wrote:

Extracted form Houston Chronicle, 19 Sept.

CRASH AFTER AIR SHOW KILLS PILOT

The pilot of a WWII warplane was killed when it crashed near Ellington
Field on Saturday evening.

Houston Aviation Department spokesman, Ernie DeSoto, said the plane
crashed about 6 pm in a field off Clear Lake City Bvd.

Houston Fire Department District Chief, Tommy Dowdy, said the pilot
was a 50 - 55 year old East Coast man who had participated in
Saturdays Wings Over Houston Air Show at Ellington earlier in the day.
The victim's name was not released since his family had not yet been
notified.

Houston Police Spokeswoman, Sandra Aponte, said the single-engine
Navy Wildcat was manufactured in 1944 and is owned by American Air
Power Heritage Group, but is flown and maintained by the Commemorative
Air Force . (~Used to be Confederate Air Force). It was registered in
MIdland (TX) she said.

Officials said the pilot was participating n a photo opportunity when
the crash occured.

Authorities didn't know what caused the accident since investigation
was still in progress, Aponte said.

Dowdy said the planes wings were sheared off by the impact.

"It (the plane) dug in, it hit hard. It's barely recognizable," Dowdy
said of the crash

----clip----

My condolences to the family.


Big John