Services Held for Breckenridge Pilot Killed in Crash
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: April 10, 2012
A tribute for the avid pilot was held at the Stephens County Airport a little after 3:00 p.m. Four of Pardue's friends flew over the airport and performed a missing man formation in his honor.
Pardue died after his small WWII-era plane crashed shortly after takeoff near the Stephens County Airport last Wednesday.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said last week the plane barely made it off the runway before hitting the ground and bursting into flames.
Pardue was a very experienced pilot with thousands of hours of flight time and owned several airplanes. He was also instrumental in starting up the Breckenridge Airshow.
One of Pardue's daughters was also killed in a plane crash several years ago. The plane he crashed in last week was named after her.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are are now investigating the crash.
Howard Pardue was 77 years old.







