Robert Douglas Sparks, 45, a private pilot and retired Air Force officer, vanished after a charter flight from McAllen, Texas, on November 19, 1972. He had rented a 1970 Piper Cherokee to fly a photography trip for a man identified as Lonnie D. Shaw. Around 1:50 PM Sparks told the FAA they were en route to Tampico, Mexico despite not having the required papers to enter Mexico; he made one more radio transmission and then all contact stopped.

The unexpected Tampico destination and the fact Sparks did not cancel a flight instruction he was scheduled to give later that day have led to concern that he may have been under duress. Neither Sparks, Shaw, nor the aircraft were ever found. Shaw was reported to have a history of mental health treatment. The disappearance remains unsolved and Sparks family and investigators continue to seek information.

Does anyone have information about flights, sightings, or people connected to Lonnie D. Shaw or that November 1972 route in the Rio Grande Valley?