Fred A. Toombs

“ Petersen, flying solo from the rear seat and equipped with a parachute, took off from Minden Airport at about 4:00 p.m. and proceeded to his assigned practice area to practice lazy eights, chandelles, stalls and 720° power turns. Another student, flying in an adjacent area at approximately the same altitude (3000 feet) , observed him practicing maneuvers. This student stated that Petersen's plane appeared to fall out of a lazy "8" into a spin, which became flat after about six turns. ”

“ He held a student pilot certificate and had accumulated approximately 47 hours of flying time. He had flown 11 solo and 12 dual hours in the type aircraft involved. The aircraft, a Fairchild N-62B, NC 41833, owned by the Pathfinder Flying Service, Ltd., was demolished. ”