Jones Beach Air Show Pays Tribute To Beloved Pilot Killed In Hudson River Crash
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork)-- Air show pilots performed an aerial salute Saturday to their comrade who died after his World War II-era plane crashed in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey a day earlier.
Jones Beach air show viewers remembered pilot Bill Gordon at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale, CBS2's Raegan Medgie reported.
The air show is usually the kick-off to Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start to summer. However, after yesterday's tragic death of Gordon, part of the show honored the warbird pilot by keeping a spot empty in the sky.
Among the intricate routines that decorate the sky during the show was a missing man formation to honor one of its own. Those who saw the show called it beautiful and moving.
"He lived and breathed aviation," pilot Scott Klyman, who flew with Gordon, told CBS2.
"Warbirds were always his passion… as it is for all of us here who love doing what we do," Kylman said.
Gordon was killed yesterday during a photo-shoot over the Hudson River when something went terribly wrong. The 56-year-old was a veteran pilot with over 25 years of experience.
"What we know of Bill, he did everything right. When he realized he was facing a catastrophic situation, he quickly got the aircraft down in the safest place possible away from many structures and population," Klyman said.
The missing man formation was done for a second and final time over the American Airpower Musuem where Gordon stored his P-47 Thunderbolt and P-40 Warhawk.
Arnold Wadley is a private pilot and familiar with Gordon's flying, calling it "pretty moving" and saying "he does a good show that makes you think about the sacrifices veterans made to keep our country free."
As the missing man formation left a hole in the sky for the experienced aviator, it also left a hole in the aviation community.
"We are proud to have called him one of our own," Klyman said. "This loss is crushing to all of us here and many outside New York area. We're going to miss him so much."
Gordon's team did not perform today. They're expected to be part of the air show on Sunday.
