MiG-17 Missing In New Mexico

Update: After we put the news to bed, early this morning, we learned that the search effort has recovered the wreckage of the aircraft and the remains of the pilot. George Cambron, 50, of Louisville, Ky., was found in the wreckage about 10 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences, according to State Police officials. 

Wind gusts of more than 40 mph caused big problems for searchers in New Mexico Saturday, as they tried to find an MiG-17 missing since early Thursday.

The search is centered on the town of Truth or Consequences, where the Russian-built fighter was last seen on radar.

"For the safety of our air crews, we had to recall other aircraft because we surely didn't want any of our crews to become subjects of another search," said Tom Fuller, a spokesman with the Civil Air Patrol. The CAP had planned to launch seven sorties in the hunt for airshow performer George Cambron, an L-39 instructor pilot and chief pilot for Worldwide Warbirds.

Cambron was on a flight from Roswell to Deer Valley Airport, north of Phoenix (AZ) when he radioed that he was having fuel transfer problems, according to New Mexico State Police.

"He's got considerable flight experience from what I understand," said NMSP Lt. Jimmy Glascock.

State police conducted a ground search on Thursday with no luck, he said. The CAP covered 1000 square miles by air, but also turned up nothing.

"Even at 1,000 feet and even with trained observers, it's hard to detect things on the ground," said CAP spokesman Tom Fuller.

FMI: www.nmwg.cap.gov