The French Lick Sesquicentennial Committee has decided to cancel the Air Show scheduled for September 29, 2007, due to the tragic death of headline-pilot-performer David Burdine. Mr Burdine regularly visited the Springs Valley Area and performed in the annual local air show while piloting his MIG 17 Fighter Jet.
Burdine was fatally injured on September 3 while conducting a routine flight of an aircraft owned and piloted by Steve Hilderbrand of Fox River Grove, IL. Suspected engine problems forced them to attempt an unsuccessful landing in a rural area near Burdine's home town of Crystal Lake, IL. Pilot Hilderbrand, who has also visited the Springs Valley Area, was also killed in the crash.
The Committee feels that cancellation of the show is the appropriate decision in deference to Mr Burdine and in consideration of his many fans who would be attending the show just to witness his performance in the MIG 17.
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