Pilot Killed in Crash Was Marine Combat Flier
The pilot of a plane that crashed in an open field in Calabasas, killing himself and a passenger, was identified by the co-owners of the plane Thursday as an experienced Marine pilot who had twice been shot down in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Acquaintances who went to the crash site Thursday identified the pilot as Pedro (P.J.) Duran, 42, and his passenger as Cameron Duke, 24, both of West Los Angeles.
The single-engine Siai Marchetti crashed Wednesday near Malibu Creek State Park. A witness said the plane was flying aerobatic maneuvers when it appeared to lose power, and that the pilot leaped out about 300 feet from earth. But friends of the pilot disputed that account.
Stephen A. Shoop, a part owner of the plane, was at the crash site before the victims were removed. He said Duran’s body was found burned in the wreckage. Duke’s body was about 20 feet from the crash site.
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