Melancon, Mark
Description
"In 1982, the Thunderbirds suffered a catastrophic loss during pre-season training on 18 January. While practicing the four-plane diamond loop, the formation impacted the ground at high speed, instantly killing all four pilots: Major Norman L. Lowry (commander/leader), Captain Willie Mays, Captain Joseph N. "Pete" Peterson, and Captain Mark Melancon."
4 PILOTS KILLED AS STUNT PLANES CRASH IN DESERT, By United Press International,Published: January 19, 1982
INDIAN SPRINGS, Nev., Jan. 18- Four jets from an Air Force stunt team crashed today, one after another, into t he rugged Nevada desert and exploded in flames, killing all four pilots. … The victims were identified as the group's leader, Maj. Norman Lowry 3d, 37 years old, of Radford, Va.; Capt. Willie Mays, 31, of Ripley, Tenn., flying left wing; Capt. Joseph Peterson, 32, of Tuskegee, Ala., flying right wing, and Capt. Mark Melancon, 31, of Dallas, flying the slot position."
