This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Cook, Thomas, Farrell, Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/JW.2ADE/8005 Message Board Post: Tragic Plane Crash Snuffs Out Lives of Bill Collins and Young Son, Dale Bill Ben Collins, 31, and his five year-old son, Dale, were instantly killed Sunday afternoon, May 29, when their L-2 Taylorcraft monoplane crashed near Standard Hill four miles south of Mojave. According to the best reconstruction of the accident by C.A.A. inspector Lightbody from Van Nuys, the ship evidently stalled in a steep turn and the pilot was unable to bring it back under controll. The plane crashed 200 yards away from the former residence of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Beck, but did not burn. Collins had owned this plane for several months and according to Harry Myer, managing proprietor of Myer Field, where the ship was stored, Mr. Collins had about 45 hours flying time. He was employed as a fireman at Edwards A. F. B. for the past several years and also worked part time for Vliet's Oil Station. He lived at 713 "I” Street, Mojave and had been a resident here for the past nine years. Dale, his son, was born in Mojave on October 28, 1949 and Bill, the father, was born February 14, 1924 in Joplin, Mo. Survivors are his widow, Jessie, two daughters;, Ruby Nell, and Jessica Ann; four brothers, John of Pittsburg, Calif.; Burl of Mojave; Harold of Shafter; and Eugene U.S.A.F. Japan; four sisters, Mrs. Fern Cook and Mrs. June Thomas of Mojave, Mrs. Jewel Farrell, San Bernardino, and CoIleene Collins; and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Collins of Shafter. Joint funeral services will be held Thursday, June 2, at 10 a.m. in the O'Donnell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Luchen, Church of God, in Rosamond as officiant Pallbearers will be made up of firemen from E.A.F.B. and interment will be in Mojave Cemetery. Posted by East Kern Genealogical Society Courtesy of Mojave Desert News California City, Kern, CA Published: 02 June 1955