Pilot's Body Found In Wreckage

Sad news from the high desert of New Mexico -- George Cambron's body has been found in the wreckage of his MiG-17.

The 50-year old Cambron was on a flight from Roswell to Deer Valley Airport, north of Phoenix (AZ) Thursday when he radioed that he was having fuel transfer problems, according to New Mexico State Police.

High winds hampered the search effort on Saturday. All but one Civil Air Patrol flight was canceled because of gusts that topped 40 mph.

"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 air show performer George Cambron, an L-39 instructor pilot and chief pilot for Worldwide Warbirds.

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

State police began a ground search on Thursday with no initial luck, he said. The CAP had covered 1000 square miles by air, but also turned up nothing until finding the wreckage Saturday afternoon.

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

The wreckage was found about 10 miles north of Truth or Consequences (NM). Cambron was wearing a parachute at the time of the accident, but his MiG was not equipped with an ejection seat.

FMI: www.nmwg.cap.gov