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SoCalif Pilot Died 7/3/05 - Services Set
Friends:
This has been a torturous week for us. Mark Navarre went soaring with several friends on Sunday, July 3, and discontinued his position reporting shortly after 3 pm. It was a normal, nice summer afternoon on the Sierras, working altitudes of 14 ~ 15,000 msl were possible. The other pilots returned home to California City by 6 pm, and no one had heard from Mark. We tried radio relays on 123.3 and 123.5 from ATC asking pilots to call down while transitioning. No answer was received from Oscar Delta. From Cal City, three pilots departed in a Mooney to the area to give Mark a chance to signal to their overflight. Based on our phone request, the Pawnee from Santa Ynez, based at Bishop that weekend also searched for the hour before dark. Inyo County Search and Rescue was notified about 8:30 pm, and they prepared to start searching early Monday. Monday morning three aircraft flown by glider pilots (Pawnee, Mooney, Bonanza) and a Taifun motorglider searched the area between Onion Valley and Coyote Flats, before Inyo S & R required them to clear some airspace while the CHP helicopter worked. Sheriff's personnel found the wreckage and confirmed Mark's passage at approximately 1 pm. The fact that Mark gave regular position reports, and was seen by a southbound pilot, limited the search area to be pertinent. No matter the speed of the response, Mark was lost immediately. The glider impacted steep terrain at 11,700 msl, south west of Coyote Flats. We have no access to any flight recorder data, so it is impossible to conjecture what may have happened. If data becomes available later, we will attempt to pass useful knowledge to soaring pilots. There was no unusual weather, it was CAVU with scattered cu at ~ 15,500 over the middle Sierra. We still do not have access to the exact crash coordinates, so speculation is pointless. The approximate site was later overflown for two hours by us, without locating the glider against snow covered background. The only pertinent comment that can be made at this time is for soaring pilots to provide more separation between themselves and terrain in all conditions, acknowledge incremental development of skills and respect personal limitations. The family eagerly wishes the attendance of flying friends at Mark's service, and a family gathering to follow. Services are set for Saturday, July 9, 10:00 a.m. The San Antonio Catholic Church at 5800 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim, CA 92807 In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in Mark's memory to SSA - Youth Soaring Flight Scholarships or Soaring Safety Education. PO Box 2100, Hobbs, NM 88241. Mark is survived by his wife, Cody, parents Gerald and Judy Navarre, sister Mary and brother Mike. Condolences to Cody can be mailed to us for forwarding or contact us directly. . http://local.google.com/maps?li=d&hl...heim,+CA+92807 We would appreciate that the family address not be posted onto rec.soaring or the internet. Personal distribution to soaring and radio control pilot friends is appropriate. With great sadness, Cindy Brickner and Marty Eiler Caracole Soaring 22570 Airport Way California City, CA 93505 760-373-1019 www.caracolesoaring.com |
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