The Nation - News from June 5, 1987

A single-engine plane flown more than 500 miles off course by a Louisiana gubernatorial candidate crashed after it ran out of fuel, a federal investigator said. Witnesses also told investigators that the plane carrying Noel (Butch) Baum also appeared to be flying itself. Officials said Baum, who was alone, may have been unconscious at the time of the crash. The Democratic candidate had been flying to Alexandria, La., but overshot that destination to crash in a field near Shattuck, Okla. An autopsy showed Baum died from injuries suffered in the crash.