Bad news this has been a tough year for air shows, it seems. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44556695/ns/us_news-life/#.TnPsJRzSgzB
75 injured, 25 critically. http://www.ktvn.com/story/15483678/plane-crash-at-air-races-at-reno-stead-airport?hpt=hp_t2
I just heard about this on the news. My heart goes out to those people. The one person they interviewed says that they saw the plane go straight up and they all knew what was going to happen next. A horrible tragedy.
Discussion at WIX: http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=42551 There's a link to the video there, definitely a horrible situation
lets keep everyone in our thoughts, several FChat users there. tragic, this may be the end of Reno. I had always wanted to go.
Just awful! It looked like the plane crashed on the strip not the crowd? I suppose the debris is what injured, killed the spectators? So sad..
The news articles say the pilot that crashed was Jimmy Leeward from Florida. Here is a picture of his P-51. Looks like a major tragedy. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Tragic.... Here is the video that shows more detail. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTzX35wOGas[/ame]
Another video here. Shows the plane going high and then inverted and then straight down (at 0:45 in the video). Yikes. Sad. (Same video as LetsJet posted a link to).
Our hearts are heavy. I had the chance to meet and talk with the pilot last year. He had a new (old w/ air race history) specially nodded Galloping Ghost. He was extremely popular and very much loved. We are all deeply sadened for all those hurt and lost to us.
That's just awful, thought and prayers to everyone. I've gone a number of times to the Reno air races...
Like all of you, I am greatly saddened by this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers to all those involved. I am especially worried for Sparky P-51 and his family, and all the others on this board who may have been there today. Hope to hear soon that all are well.
He should be there. His son Brandt usually does the flying. I'll drop him an email and see what's up. What a terrible thing, especially when it involves the crowd. Horrifying. Very sad.
The video I posted has been removed. I hope this one doesn't disappear. It's a much better representation than what is being described by other sources. Other videos just show a plane heading straight into the ground with everyone speculating. This video helps show the control the pilot had prior to impact. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndd9PVDM3jU[/ame]
It all seems rather unbelievable. To those who were injured, we wish you only the best in your speedy recovery.
I wonder if it wasn't a physical issue with the pilot. The stresses are pretty high doing that kind of flying. Sad to see
pic taken just prior to impact (borrowed from a thread on RL). note the pilot's head is not where it should be; medical issue or passed out during the roll prior to crash? Image Unavailable, Please Login