| Our engine builder for many years,
directly and indirectly, has been Aircraft Cylinder and
Turbine. Bill Jones owned and operated it from scratch
until 1991 when he retired so he could fly his various
planes. His favorite was his T28, which he and Lyle would
go up in so that Lyle could practice on the flying low
kinda things that pilots do. It was a beautiful polished
T28 that he was very proud of. February 2 about 3:00a.m.
Bill Jones and Greg Webber from Bellingham, WA left Van
Nuys Airport enroute to Thermal, CA for a T28
conference/gathering. They never made it! The weather had
progressively grown worse throughout the day and our only
guess is that they were flying under the clouds (scud
running) and miscalculated. Both died upon impact into
the side of a mountain 10-15 miles SE of Palm Springs.
They were found by Park Officials Saturday, Feb 6 when
weather had cleared. February 16 there was a Family &
Friends Wake at Van Nuys Airport where hundreds of people
listened and watched a couple of "Missing Man"
formations performed. They showed a video of Bill's life
and retirement from AC&T and people had stories poems
and many fond memories. February 17 a Family only wake
was held for Bill. He will be deeply missed by many
different groups. Greg Webber had his T-28 engine just
finished by Bill at Aircraft Cylinder & Turbine and
it was its maiden voyage. Haven't heard of any mechanical
problems or collisions. Just Mountains in the way. -Shirlee
Kurtz-
|
