History / Previous Identities:


1963: N5471V
1981: crashed (Ed Browning)
1983: rebuilt as "Flying Undertaker" #66, C-GRLR (Ritchie Rasmussen)
1985: N151MR (Mickey Rupp), N551CB (Connie Bowlin)
1990: N551CB (Gary Honbarrier) "Glamorous Glen III"

2001: 6th September "Glamorous Glen III Crashed":
45-11381, N551CB, owned by Gary Honbarrier was being flown by Jeff Michael (owner of 44-74936 "Obsession") on Thursday, 6th September, when the P-51 had cooling problems and lost power. After being vectored by ATC to the nearest airport, the engine totally quit, sending them (Jeff and Butch Cauble) through the cloud deck. They came out at about 1200'agl and the plane was clear so they jumped! They are lucky to be alive from a very low altitude jump.

The P-51 was on its way from Salisbury to Springfield, Ohio for a private 357th FG reunion. They filed an IFR flight plan (we don't know if they were in any actual IFR conditions except for the emergency descent). The Charlotte tower received a radio call saying they had engine overheating trouble. They were then vectored to Lincoln County Regional Airport (IPJ). They couldn't make it after losing all power, going down six miles east of the airport, at 11:20AM.

Not all warbird pilots wear parachutes when just flying around, but many do when going cross-country. In this case, being able to parachute to safety was certainly the difference between life and death.

We are very glad to hear that Mr. Michael made it out safe and so did Butch Cauble. The P-51 was destroyed in the crash as a fire started on impact. Both the pilot and the passenger did a heck of a job getting out and getting their chutes opened in just enough time for a "safe" landing. Michael was stuck in a tree for a while and Cauble was taken to a medical center with injuries.

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