Kern County Obituaries

Ross Durham

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Source Unknown; 5 Jan 1956

Tragic Plane Crash Takes Two Lives
Loren Reebe, 40, 12542 Miranda, North Hollywood, a veteran pilot, and Ross 
Durham, 12, a stepson f Mr. and Mrs. Bill Barnes, were killed in an airplane crash 
on Sunday, January 1 at 6:40 p.m.
The tragic accident occurred when Reebe, pilot of the plane, was attempting a 
landing at the Barnes airfield, four miles west of Rosamond off the Willow Springs 
Road. The party of four, including another stepson, Lemoyne, and Mrs. Bill Barnes 
were returning home after a trip to Las Vegas.
Bill Barnes, waiting at the airfield for his family watched helplessly as the plane 
came in to land as darkness set in. Lacking regular landing lights, Barnes turned on 
several auto headlights. The plane missed the field on the first attempt and when it 
came in again it struck a power pole which caused it to cartwheel into the ground 
and burst into flame.
Fire equipment from Rosamond and Mojave under the direction of Bat. Chief 
Tom Dickerson, assisted by volunteers put out the fire. 

The crash also put out the lights in Rosamond for 30 minutes.

Gladys and Lemoyne were rescued from the wreck and although the pilot was thrown 
clear, he died later at a hospital.
The accident was investigated by Deputy Sheriffs F. R. Nelson and John Barrett 
and Hwy Patrol Officer D. E. Bryan.