Kern County Obituaries

Wayne H. McMiniment

Submitted by Don Stowell; 13 Feb 2008

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Wayne McMiniment Victim of Plane Crash
All Mojave was saddened by the news that Wayne H. McMiniment, missing since Sunday, had 
been instantly killed when the airplane he was flying crashed two miles south of Minter Field near 
Bakersfield, reported by the Kern county Sheriff's office on Tuesday morning, November 19.
The plane, an L-5 Stimson high wing was rented from the Lancaster airport by Wayne Sunday,
Morning from where he took off landing at the N. A. S. in Mojave, from which he telephoned his 
aunt, Mrs. Mearl Craig, that he was flying to Bakersfield.
When he didn't return home within a reasonable length of time, his cousin, Kenny Craig and 
a friend went down to Lancaster and obtained what Information they could regarding the type and 
license number of the plane, also calling the Bakersfield airport where they learned that fog: was 
blanketing the mountains from as far as Clear Creek to Bakersfield, hanging close to the ground 
and extending in height up to 4,000 feet
On Monday morning the Naval Air Station was notified and planes took off on a searching tour of 
the Tehachapi Mountains in conjunction with pilots from the Kern county airport who were covering 
the other side. A ground crew was formed who went up to Cummings and Bear Valley but after 
searching all day, they and Deputy Sheriff Glen Roberts had nothing to report.	
Early Tuesday morning, word was phoned to Deputy Roberts that the search was over and the
Last hope was gone when a line rider for the Kern County Land Co., Spurgeon Marvin Gibson, 
discovered the wrecked plane in a wide cow pasture. Riding several miles before reaching the 
nearest telephone Gibson reported the find to the Sheriff's office which in turn notified Roberts just 
as another large crowd was preparing to resume the search.
Airport Supt. Cecil Meadows, who was well acquainted with Wayne, stated that the plane' 
crashed at approximately 2 p. m. Sunday, basing his statement on the amount of gasoline the ship 
was capable of carrying. There were no other passengers. '
An investigation of the crash is, expected to be made by the Civil Aeronautics Authority
The plane was wrecked beyond repair but did not burn and McMiniment was thrown clear.
"Mack" as he was affectionately known in town, is survived by his widow, Audree, who only 
recently came from France to join him. He also leaves his mother, Mrs. F. H. McMiniment of Long 
Beach, his father, Frank Hugh McMiniment of Iowa, an aunt, and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Shelton, 
another aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Mearl Craig and his cousin Kenneth of Mojave. He was 26 
years old and served with the Air Corps in France during World. War II attaining the rank of Master 
Sergeant.
Originally coming from Ft. Dodge, Iowa, he was active in the Mojave Bowling League holding 
current high game of the season while bowling with Craig's Union Oil Team. All who knew him 
will miss him sorely and' all join in wishing him safe landing on the other side.
As we go to press funeral arrangements are pending. The' body is at the mortuary of the O'Donnell 
Funeral Home in Mojave.