Cause of Death: |
Died in Aircraft Accident, North American F-51 Mustang #316. Four aircraft, piloted by Lt Marshall, Major L. B. Pearce, 2Lt Howe and Lt Parker were on a ferry flight between K-10 and K-16, in poor weather. Lt Marshall informed his flight to fly VFR or return to K-10 if unable to do so. Abreast of Masan they encountered a rainstorm but were unable to turn around because of the closeness of the mountains. Lt Marshall instructed his flight to climb through the overcast, which they proceeded to do. At 4500 feet altitude Major Pearce was seen to be having difficulty maintaining formation, and he abruptly disappeared. He was then sighted again, and ordered to climb above the overcast. Lt Marshall and the other two pilots reached clear sky at 8000 feet, but Major Pearce did not appear, and failed to respond to R/T calls. The wreckage of his aircraft was subsequently found 15 miles north of K-10. It appeared to have hit the ground under power. |
