Unable to land at Trenton station due to the dense fog on Tuesday, an R.C.A.F. jet flyer is believed to have sacrificed himself rather than take a chance of baling out over land and having the aircraft land possibly in a populated area.

Missing since one o’clock, Tuesday, no trace has been found of flyer or the jet trainer, believed to have crashed in Lake Ontario. His last radio message said he was eight miles south of Point Petre, over Lake Ontario, with gas running short.

Should the pilot have parachuted from the jet and landed in Lake Ontario he would not have long survived in the icy water. Due to the fog, a search by air and water was not possible. Wednesday saw an intensive search but no trace was found.

Members of the Ground Observers Corps and others contacted reported not hearing a jet aircraft Tuesday afternoon when all planes were grounded due to the dense fog.

Identified as Flying Officer John William George Sandford, 27, son of J. W. Sandford, Brantford, the pilot had flown the T-22 jet trainer from Gimli, Man. He attempted to make a landing at Downsview, Toronto, but fog prevented this. Coming on to Trenton, attempted an instrument landing but overshot the field and was forced to climb again. He was advised by radio to try Ottawa but replied that he did not have sufficient fuel. Last radio contact reported he was climbing and out over Lake Ontario. Since the jet travels fast, he would possibly have been far out over the lake. It was heart-breaking to officials that no search could be immediately instituted.

Wednesday, aircraft swept a 3,000-mile area without success. Fish boats were also used. United States Coast Guard craft also participated in the search.