John Herlihy

Air Classics, Jan 2004 by O'Leary, Michael

Well-known Warbird pilot dies in T-28 crash

Long-time Warbird pilot John Herlihy died in the crash of a NAA T-28B Trojan near Hornbrook, California, on 28 October. The aircraft impacted the side of Black Mountain and the engine was torn from the aircraft and the wings folded partially over the cockpit area. The T-28B had landed at Montague Airport approximately 30-min before the crash to pick up Ronnie Coffman who had recently purchased the aircraft and was receiving instruction from Herlihy.

Witnesses said the T-28B left the field heading north and within minutes began experiencing engine problems. The pilot is believed to have circled around to return to the field when the aircraft lost altitude and crashed. Herlihy apparently died on impact but the gravely injured Coffman was cut from the wreckage and transported to a hospital where he was listed in critical condition.