Plane Crashes Into Crowd at Reno Air Race — Multiple Dead, Over 50 Injured
- Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:04pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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A P-51 Mustang airplane crashes into the edge of the grandstands at the Reno Air show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011 in Reno Nevada. The World War II-era fighter plane flown by a veteran Hollywood stunt pilot Jimmy Leeward plunged Friday into the edge of the grandstands during the popular air race creating a horrific scene strewn with smoking debris. (AP Photo/Ward Howes)
RENO, Nev. (AP) — A vintage World War II-era fighter plane plunged into the grandstands Friday during a popular annual air show, killing at least three people, injuring more than 50 spectators and creating a horrific scene strewn with body parts and smoking debris.
The plane, flown by a renowned 74-year-old air racer and movie stunt pilot, spiraled suddenly out of control and appeared to disintegrate upon impact. Bloodied bodies were spread across the area as people tended to the victims and ambulances rushed to the scene.
[Content Warning: May be disturbing for some]
Maureen Higgins of Alabama, who has been coming to the show for 16 years, said the pilot was on his third lap when he lost control.
She was sitting about 30 yards away from the crash and watched in horror as the man in front of her started bleeding after a piece of debris hit him in the head.
“I saw body parts and gore like you wouldn’t believe it. I’m talking an arm, a leg,“ Higgins said ”The alive people were missing body parts. I am not kidding you. It was gore. Unbelievable gore.”
Among the dead was pilot Jimmy Leeward, 74, of Ocala, Fla., a veteran airman and stunt pilot who named his P-51 Mustang fighter plane the “Galloping Ghost,” according to Mike Houghton, president and CEO of Reno Air Races. Officials earlier said Leeward was 80.
AP
Renown Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Kathy Carter confirmed that two others died, but did not provide their identities.
Stephanie Kruse, a spokeswoman for the Regional Emergency Medical Service Authority, told The Associated Press that emergency crews took a total of 56 injury victims to three hospitals. She said they also observed a number of people being transported by private vehicle, which they are not including in their count.
Kruse said of the total 56, at the time of transport, 15 were considered in critical condition, 13 were serious condition with potentially life-threatening injuries and 28 were non-serious or non-life threatening.
“This is a very large incident, probably one of the largest this community has seen in decades,” Kruse told The Associated Press. “The community is pulling together to try to deal with the scope of it. The hospitals have certainly geared up and staffed up to deal with it.”
The P-51 Mustang crashed into a box-seat area in front of the grandstand at about 4:30 p.m., race spokesman Mike Draper said. Houghton said Leeward appeared to have “lost control of the aircraft,” though details on why that happened weren’t immediately known.
KRNV-TV weatherman Jeff Martinez, who was just outside the air race grounds at the time, said the plane veered to the right and then “it just augered straight into the ground.”
“You saw pieces and parts going everywhere,” he said. “Everyone is in disbelief.”
Tanya Breining, off Hayward, Calif., told KTVU-TV in San Francisco: “It was absolute carnage … It looked like more than a bomb exploded.”
Another witness, Ronald Sargis, said he was sitting in the box seat area near the finish line.
“We could see the plane coming around the far turn – it was in trouble,” Sargis told KCRA-TV in Sacramento. “About six or seven boxes down from us, it impacted into the front row.”
He said the pilot appeared to do all he could to avoid crashing into the crowd. Response teams immediately went to work, Sargis said. After the crash Sargis went up a few rows into the grandstand to view the downed plane.
“It appeared to be just pulverized,” he said.
Leeward, the owner of the Leeward Air Ranch Racing Team, was a well-known racing pilot. His website says he has flown more than 120 races and served as a stunt pilot for numerous movies, including “Amelia” and “Cloud Dancer.”
In an interview with the Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner last year, he described how he has flown 250 types of planes and has a particular fondness for the P-51, which came into the war relatively late and was used as a long-range bomber escort over Europe. Among the famous pilots of the hot new fighter was WWII double ace Chuck Yeager.
“They’re more fun. More speed, more challenge. Speed, speed and more speed,” Leeward said.
Houghton described Leeward as “a good friend. Everybody knows him. It’s a tight knit family. He’s been here for a long, long time,” Houghton said.
The National Championship Air Races draws thousands of people every year in September to watch various military and civilian planes race. They also have attracted scrutiny in the past over safety concerns, including four pilots killed in 2007 and 2008. It was such a concern that local school officials once considered whether they should not allow student field trips at the event.
The competition is like a car race in the sky, with planes flying wingtip-to-wingtip as low as 50 feet off the sagebrush at speeds sometimes surpassing 500 mph. Pilots follow an oval path around pylons, with distances and speeds depending on the class of aircraft.
The FAA and air race organizers spend months preparing for air races as they develop a plan involving pilot qualification, training and testing along with a layout for the course. The FAA inspects pilots’ practice runs and brief pilots on the route maneuvers and emergency procedures.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., issued a statement saying he was “deeply saddened” about the crash.
“My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives and with those who were wounded in this horrific tragedy,” he said. “I am so grateful to our first responders for their swift action and will continue to monitor this situation as it develops.”
This is a breaking story. Updates will be added.
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Comments (140)
COFemale
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:27amThis is a tragic, tragic accident. May be God be with all those killed or hurt and the family during this time.
I’ve been to many air shows, I have never been to the Reno races although I lived in Vegas for almost ten years. Many times at airshows they use to put seating for VIP’s or those willing to pay outside the safety zone; that practice at least with the Thunderbirds, has been discontinued. The question I have was this seating outside the safety zone. We will have to wait for the facts to be conveyed. Having said this, it also appeared that the pilot had something happen to make him go straight down and into the seating area.
As for the pilots age, I would put his driving record against some of those on this forum. I have seen teenagers, 20, 30 and even 40 somethings drive like a bat out of hell and on the verge of being an accident waiting to happen. Until we know all the facts, it would be wise to keep snide and accusatory accusations to ourselves.
Report Post »Beerbear
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 1:09amIn the last 24 hours roughly 85 Americans died in traffic accidents across the US.
The annual death rate in traffic accidents in the US is roughly 31,000.
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 5:11amThis is horrible! I always wanted to go to one of these shows with my kids, but every time I heard of one it was later on the news and a plane crashed and someone died! So every time I heard of one in advance I wondered if we would really be safe? And decided to stay home and sure enough there was an accident, and someone was killed so I just decided that was something we weren’t ever going to do!
Report Post »My heart goes out to the victim’s families……
GOD BLESS YOU AND GOOD LUCK !
TomFerrari
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 6:03am@BeerBear – correct – The thing with aviation accidents is, when they happen, there are multiple deaths at one time, so it makes all the news.
Report Post »If we gave as much national coverage to fatal auto accidents, we would have to have 24/7 news coverage of nothing BUT auto accidents.
Not to mention bathtub slip/fall deaths !
Mile for mile, flying is still THE SINGLE SAFEST MODE of transportation.
Aircraft are partially disassembled and inspected EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
We certainly don’t do that to our cars.
Before EVERY day’s flights, the aircraft is checked, the controls are checked, the oil is checked, the tires are checked.
Do you do that to your car or truck EVERY SINGLE DAY?
NO.
Let’s not get TOO reactive.
This is a TRAGIC accident, to be sure.
But, it is an ACCIDENT, none-the-less.
.
.
Mil-Dot
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 8:44amLook, the fact is that the guy had no business flying a WWll plane in competition over the heads of the crowd at his age. There is a reason why the FAA makes commercial airline pilots retire at age 60 whether they like it or not. It is called a HEART ATTACK. Yeah, fly all you want until you croak at age 100, I don’t care. But don’t put me and my family at risk just because you want to race at age 74. Go fly somewhere else.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 8:45am… damn …
Report Post »Cat
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 9:17am…
Most people never get to drive a top fuel funny car into a steel reinforced concrete wall at 256 mph, ram a 50-foot catamaran race boat into granite rip-rap at 155 mph, or ride a P51 Mustang into people at 450 mph.
There has been several accidents at air shows around the world recently.
One, not so recent, comes to mind.
In 1988 at the Ramstein AFB, Italian Aermacchi MB-399 PAN jets collided in mid-air in front of the spectator area.
One of the jet’s fuselage tumbled into the spectators spewing ignited jet fuel and aircraft parts into the crowd of people.
Attended one air show at MacDill AFB, viewed from a safe distance in Tampa Bay.
Still, there was an uncomfortable feeling when F/A -18’s fly over at 100 feet on their decent to the landing strip.
That was enough.
We are finite … Never forget
May the injured recover, and the deceased rest is peace.
Report Post »HKB
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 9:27amAirline pilots have to retire at age 65 not 60. Also, to those that live “dangerously” close, Stead AFB was opened in Oct 1942… The races started in 1964. When was your house built?
Report Post »RAS
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 9:49amCofemale: About the wisest comment was yours: “Until we know all the facts, it would be wise to keep snide and accusatory accusations to ourselves.” Every time there’s an incident, any kind, the knee-jerk reaction in today’s culture is to have Congress make new laws regulating something or other before anybody knows the facts.
There‘s one thing I’d bet the farm on about this though. I’ll bet the liability lawyers are converging to Reno in droves.
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:20amget a grip all of you, I would fly with this guy who was 74 rather than the young hot shots who had been educated in the schools of “it is all about me and I am young so I know all”………..I had their fly overs and reported their hot shot asses……but nobody would take me serious…..call the execs there and ask if these young hot shots weren’t reported!!!!!!!!!!! I saw the two planes and one was nosing over to put the silver plane out……..
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:30amSuzee, I sure hope you contact the NTSB if what you are saying is indeed true. They need to know if someone else caused the crash with less than honorable intentions.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:41amJust curious, Susie. Do you live in Stead or Lemmon Valley? Along Military Road?
Report Post »The plane crashed right next to the bleachers at the air field. Right in the middle of all those places, half way in between the ends of the oval coarse.
Suzee
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:52amI am telling all, normally all planes race within the pylons……..and when they practiced earlier days before…….there were some newbies who flew outside the rules (during practice days before the Reno Air Races started) and we on the ground reported them flying very close to our homes but this plane was not one that we reported………Standing on the ground and witnessing this race I can tell you that when this race started they flew over our home and #177 was getting nosed over by another (one that had been reported during practice 9/11/2011) while the other planes were within the pylons…….I didn’t have a camera but I can still see this plane moving out of the way and maybe getting clipped by a racer who had nosed his plane towards the silver plane……..This is only my opinion but I think another pilot needs to come forward and explain why so many of us saw this……I think that this courageous pilot got clipped and then tried to save others otherwise he would have put his plane down in the desert…….but the pilot in the plane ‘outside’ the pylons’ needs to be questioned, I saw you buddy just come forward……
Report Post »RaptureReady_004
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 1:09amI live in Stead too. And the races are a danger. And Desert Heights Elem. School it right across the street ..down the road about 30 seconds from the Air Field. And yes, We get those F-16′s flying so low over our house, directly over us. And so low, you can count the bolts under their wings. It’s extremely dangerous to have the Air Races this close to our neighborhood, and Elem School. Not to mention the schools sent the students there yearly, as a treat. I am so greatful the accident didn’t happen before 3:30pm. Because out my back door I saw rows of school buses parked in the area, for the Air Race. My sons all went to them for the same field trip with they were small. And I just praise God the kids were home from school. God be with those families who are grieving, and suffering. I hope the Air Races get moved to a safer place than Stead. It‘s always stressful when it’s going on.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 2:15am@RaptureReady_004
Yes it was a very good thing that the school kids left an hour or two before the crash. I lived in Lemmon Valley for two years and because I’m not a airplane guy and like peace and quiet, I was never much of a fan of the races. As close as I ever got to them was watching them from a friends patio on Military Road.
For those who might be curious about how close you were saying the races are to your house and the school, they can look at the top picture and see how close the houses are. And if I’m not mistaken, that view is looking away from Stead and the school which is even closer.
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 5:57am@suzee – if you have aircraft flying too low over your house, you need to contact your local “FLIGHT SERVICES DISTRICT OFFICE” aka “FSDO” (pronouced ‘fizz-dough’).
You should be able to Google one near you, or, call your airport and ask for their number.
The FAA is the ONE branch of our government that I ALWAYS find polite and helpful. (NOTE: tsa is NOT part of the FAA!)
Just be polite, and express concern for your and the pilot’s safety. Note the time and date, and if you have a photo or a description of the aircraft. Altitude and direction of flight would help also.
God grant comfort and peace to the grieving families and grace to those that perished.
What a sad and tragic accident… “ACCIDENT”
And, as they say, “ACCIDENTS HAPPEN”.
For those that are complaining about living nearby…
You ARE aware they have been racing since around 1964, aren’t you??
Did you live there before that? Or, did you buy a house/land just feet from the course?
Too often, I believe, we grow our cities into areas that we should not.
Report Post »Then, we complain about things in that area that annoy us.
Interstate noise, aircraft taking off or landing.
This costs us taxpayers BILLIONS in noise abatement.
(studies, runway construction, purchasing homes, installing “free” soundproofing in homes)
(which gets added to our taxes + OVERHEAD ! )
It also costs the airlines MILLIONS in noise abatement, which gets added directly to the price of a ticket!
Research home purchases bet
Carol Ingian
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 6:59amMy prayers are with the families who are hurting from this horrible tradgedy.
Report Post »And my prayers are with you, Suzee, what an awful thing to have witnessed.
I hope by you speaking out about what you witnessed, that the truth comes out about what happened.
Mil-Dot
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 8:53amTom Ferrari
Report Post »How you doing buddy. It is always good to read your posts because you are knowledgable and fair. But, I would bet that if your kid got blown to smithereens by this old guy plowing into them you might have more to say than “accidents happen”. Other than that, keep up the good work.
platitude
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:00amthe clips are just ads?
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:21amGo to youtube and search Reno air race crash.
Report Post »Most of the video news outlets are showing come from there. I counted about 5 of them.
chazman
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 7:31pm@SUZEE
… wow. If what you are saying is true then the incident has to be recorded. The truth will come out. I remember seeing the same thing at the Cleveland air races back in the eighties. Like NASCAR in the air. Planes trading paint at 100 feet. It‘s friggin’ nuts!
Report Post »Mrs. Bowers
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:00amI wonder if the pilot had a medical emergency. He was too skilled not have had something terrible go wrong.
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 3:53amThis pilot got nosed out,,,,,,I wil tell you …..I own property just a few hundred yards away from the pylons and I was our doing what our illustrious 1st lady should have been doing (if she was being REAL about planting a garden on the citizen’s plot @ the White House) I was pulling weeds and harvesting a garden……….There were other witnesses to the plight of #177………somehow his and another were flying low a distance from the other racers………………& it wasn’t near military rd or stead……..it was the flight circle away from Stead……..geez rational…..you really bug the normal people
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 4:15amwhy I stumbled on my last post was because I was listening to Sharpton….much we must we must much or what the crap he said
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:56pmThe scary stuff happens after the 40 second mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev_kM7Ljkrw
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:31pmThese horrific scenes….now…imagine your are in Israel…
Each and every day,
Israel lives under the threat of this type of carnage
from the Palestinians, Hezbollah, Hamas.
I am saddened by the loss of this great pilot and all those who are victims.
Report Post »swampbuck
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 7:56amyep
Report Post »Donald727
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:23pmI’m 80 and have flown and instructed in many aircraft from Cubs to Boeing 727s. For all of the “experts” and the know it all comments, I urge you to wait for the facts to be determined before
Report Post »coming up with all the answers.
AmeriCat
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:42pmAgree!
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:47pmMy Father in Law and Uncle were there all week, and came home today to Calif. They sat near that area. Wow. God was on their side today.
Report Post »Dustoff
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:13amYou said it Donald.
Remember that old saying. Old pilots and Bold pilots. (-:
Report Post »georgiavietvet
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:21pmwho gives a damn about what harry reid said about this tragedy? i went to the reno air races in 1966 as a 17 year old kid. it’s a fantastic show, but very dangerous. saw one plane almost crash before pilot regained control. GOD BLESS the dead, the hurt, and their families. after the lawsuits are over there might not be anymore reno air races………………………………….
Report Post »Akira Gomi
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:21pmP51 Mustang, all speed, fast WWII aircraft, aged pilot. Serious recipe for problems. God rest the souls and bless those souls they left behind..
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 1:58amI wonder where they got the erroneous information that the P-51 came late in the war?
Report Post »Dustoff
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:16amYou do understand these aircraft are pretty much re-built from the ground up. This isn’t your 1956 Chevy.
Report Post »Freedombeliever
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:54pmSure puts things into perspective while we quarrel about politics amongst one another. Such an incredibly tragic loss of life. Prayers going out to all involved and especially to the pilot who lost his life and apparently tried his best to steer the plane away from the crowds.
Report Post »Godspeed.
Suzee
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:53pmI live here. within 2 miles from this airport..I have watched this race from my home for 10 years……I saw today @ approx 4:22 2 planes outside the pylons and one silver plane very close to my barn and trees, flying way outside where planes have usually flown in the past 10 years. On September 11, 2011, planes from this airport had been flying (practicing for the air races) and during their practices one plane flew so close to our home and @ this plane flew so close to our home that our windows rattled and some items in our pantry flew off the shelves. I called the number listed for the executives of the Reno Air Races…I was assured that all pilots would be disciplined if they didn’t fly within the pylons designated. These races started and for the last 2 days the planes stayed within the pylons, but today 2 (let me repeat two) planes were racing outside the pylons and very close to each other….the other racers were within the pylons……there is a small hill between my acreage and the race field…so I saw no smoke but heard sirens..I am telling everyone that there were 2 planes flying and racing outside their designated areas…the other racers hovered above crossing in front of each other..something really was wrong here……and with the call that our family made on Sunday September 11, 2011 about these planes ‘practicing’ but flying outside their pylons (their designated area) I am telling u another pilot bit this guy…I saw the 2 planes outside their pylo
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:04pmSounds like you were lucky!
Report Post »A few years ago, one of the planes crashed into a home in Lemon Valley.
I remember the pictures. And that is way outside the pylons!
The Divided States of America
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:48pmAmong the dead was pilot Jimmy Leeward, 80, of Ocala, Fla… i think there needs to be an age limit on some things !!!!
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:54pmRegulations.. Obama has about regulated us to death.. one thing for sure the planes need to be further away from the audience! The air shows can do that themselves without the aide of the corrupt WH. I will pray for those lost, those hurt and all of their familes!
Report Post »what4
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:54pmTurns out he was 74…RIP
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:01pmuhh he was 74…..but you know what I am telling you I witnessed 2 planes outside the pylons flying very close together………I could see both and I am telling you something went wrong here that wasn’t the fault of the pilot of this plane………..I saw them directly above and I am telling two (2) planes…..so you want to assume age?………get off until you know the facts otherwise you are a dumper
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:39pmSuzee…it sounds as though someone may have made a mistake
and caused this crash…and it wasn’t the one who died….
Yikes! You have watched these for years and
Report Post »especially had recent experience observing their “practice”
last Sunday. You would have a trained eye.
Suzee
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:53pmhe wasn’t 80 but he was 74…….but I stood on the ground and saw another plane (a hot shot) flying way outside the pylon pushing this pilot out……..until all comes out…..and unless you were here: SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE!
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:05amValium time Susie………………
Report Post »swampbuck
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 8:09amsomething broke
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 8:30amHe had a broken elevator. I just saw the picture on TV.
Report Post »So, “SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE”, Susie……………
conservative belle
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:41pmTXPilot, you are correct on the age of this pilot. My husband is a retired flight instructor and FAA pilot examiner and agreed 80 is probably too old even if he was in great physical shape. Time will tell if it was mechanical or pilot error.
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:41pm74 years old, he was. He was still fully capable of even stunt flying.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:19amWhy is this the only place I’m hearing that he was 74yrs old when the local news, ( who have been interviewing his friends), and everyone else says he was 80.
Report Post »And how is that 6yrs difference relevant. The guy was old. It may have played a factor, maybe not. But it has to be taken into account. Reflexes, mental sharpness, G forces.
I heard the plane was completely rebuilt 2yrs ago. The guy was an expert pilot with years of experience racing. Well respected and liked.
At this point nobody knows. There is only speculation and there is a good probability that is all there will ever be concerning how this happened. The plane is in pieces small enough to fit in a grocery cart or smaller.
No need to get all bent out of shape about people’s speculations…..JEESH!
Git-R-Done
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:40pmPrayers are with all of those at the air races. :(
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:33pmOh, dear God in Heaven, please help those people. I saw a report about this at another sight (Drudge Report – Breitbart) about half an hour ago. I cannot believe the horrendous, ugly comments made about the pilot & the people killed & injured. A young lady posted that her Uncle was the pilot & her Aunt was there somewhere & she was frightened. She knew he was dead & asked people for a little more respect. My heart broke for her. Have mercy. God’s love needs to shine through us for all of the victims.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:05pmI’ve watched the footage over and over again and it’s a classic “spin out over the top”.
Report Post »Just like flight the ValuJet 592 over the Everglades. Same thing.
Maybe an 80 year old shouldn’t be flying something so fast. I wonder if he still had a drivers license?
My best friend flew P-51’s in Korea and taught me about the dangers of flying so fast in a race.
All it takes is one little move on the rudder to “spin out over the top”.
Hey Hulsy, this could be you.
TSUNAMI-22
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:07pmYou should have witnessed all the douche bags on YouTube doing the same insensitive crap with their comments. It made me want to reach through the monitor and strangle them with my bare hands.
Humanity, as a whole, could use n enema of biblical proportions.
Report Post »AmeriCat
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:49pmWe have a different sort of crowd here at The Blaze,
a group that sends prayers and God’s love,
words of encouragement,
Report Post »and reasoned questions to learn facts and understand,
without casting aspersions.
How very sad, the pilot seems to have a history of incredible talent.
MrMagoo
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:29pmThere’s always risks involved.
“The competition is like a car race in the sky, with planes flying wingtip-to-wingtip as low as 50 feet off the sagebrush at speeds sometimes surpassing 500 mph.”
Exactly.I only got to see this once in my life,back in 1967.4 planes racing in the sky,around pylons.The things people do at high risk,for show purposes.Accidents happen,but people are people.God Bless the victims.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:29pmGod Above be with the injured and those who are treating and caring for them, for a swift recovery and return to sound body, mind and soul. To those who lost one or more of a family, be with them and comfort them in the trials ahead without their loved ones.
Report Post »HellPhish89
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:25pmthe plane did NOT hit the stands. it crashed on the flight line NEAR the stands. youd be looking at 100+ dead if it hit the stands.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:38pmIt apparently hit the box seats in front of the bleachers.
Report Post »Obama>Jesus
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:21pmHey, what’s al-Quida’s Favorite football team?
The New York Jets.
Keeplookingup1
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 3:24amyour user name….quite a statement…..please tell me what specifically is so great about Jesus and how Obama is > than.
Report Post »newspapertaxis
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:21pmHarry can trot out some cowboy poets now.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:16pmHi guys,
I’ve watched the footage over and over again and it’s a classic “spin out over the top”.
Just like flight the ValuJet 592 over the Everglades. Same thing.
Maybe an 80 year old shouldn’t be flying something so fast. I wonder if he still had a drivers license?
My best friend flew P-51’s in Korea and taught me about the dangers of flying so fast in a race.
All it takes is one little move on the rudder to “spin out over the top”.
If you don’t believe me have Glenn ask some of his fighter pilot friends about ‘spin out over the top”.
Michael
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:06pmshut you pie hole unless you were here
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:57pmMonk I was trying to reply to someone else not you……sorry……I am upset because have been trying to tell others that this probably wasn‘t this pilot’s fault.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:15pmHi guys,
I’ve watched the footage over and over again and it’s a classic “spin out over the top”.
Just like flight the ValuJet 592 over the Everglades. Same thing.
Maybe an 80 year old shouldn’t be flying something so fast. I wonder if he still had a drivers license?
My best friend flew P-51’s in Korea and taught me about the dangers of flying so fast in a race.
All it takes is one little move on the rudder to “spin out over the top”.
If you don’t believe me have Glenn ask some of his fighter pilot friends about ‘spin out over the top”.
Michael
TXPilot
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:24pmAs a professional pilot, I’m left to wonder how an 80 year old man was allowed to race in the Unlimited category at Reno? The pilots that fly these planes experience “g” forces similar to what a fighter pilot would have to deal with, which means it’s no place for someone of that advanced age, no matter how great his physical condition was. Maybe when more info comes to light, we will find out it was some sort of mechanical failure, but I suspect it will be found to have been pilot error, with a strong suspicion being that the pilots advanced age was the primary contributing factor.
Report Post »Quencher
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:26pmYou are right—-One should confer with an experienced pilot — High speed stall is probably more appropriate in this case. However I will not yet commit to any cause until more is known about the situation and it would be wise for all of us not to try to be judges just yet. But then what would I know after Instructing all types of flying through the last 58 years, including teaching aerobatics in military types. Just sorrow with me for the great loss we all have suffered today and hope that it will not happen again.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:42pmDon’t know if there is enough plane left to determine if it was a mechanical failure.
Report Post »Whats left of it is in small pieces. The largest piece I’ve seen so far in different film footage is a about a one third size chunk of the motor. There is no identifiable pieces like a wing, tail or fuseloge. That is why there are so many injured with missing limbs and such.
The plane on impact was turned into small shrapnel like a bomb.
TSUNAMI-22
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:47pm@ Quencher & TX
You’re both correct.
We all know it will happen again because it’s the nature of the beast. All we can do is pray for the families of all the souls involved.
We risk because we love.
Report Post »Christabel
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:45pmValue Jet was caused an explosion by improper oxygen storage in the cargo bay. The NTSB report is used a lot of training. That has nothing to do with this situation.
Report Post »Suzee
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 12:13amok now I am replying to Monk: the pilot was 74…..and ok that is old to many..However as I posted: on 9/11/2011……My home is within 2 miles of this airport……..these racers were practicing (not the one who crashed) but several younger hot shots were flying not obeying the pylon rules and were flying outside where they were supposed to be. I called the executive number for the Reno Air Races and was told that these pilots would be disciplined for their discrepancy. This was a Sunday, the next few days followed the typical air race schedule and everyday when the race @ around 4:30 all racers obeyed the pylon race………Today…..I was outside when the hot shot racers were circling……I was startled when 2 (two planes) the one silver and another that was aiming his plane towards the 177 (in fact the one that was pushing the 177 was the very one that I reported on 9/11/2011 and was told there would be some disciplinary action) . Now you want to blame an experienced pilot who may be over the age of what YOU THINK IS ACCEPTABLE when some of us on the ground had already reported the young pilot in the other plane that probably put this guy down????????????????????????
Report Post »TomFerrari
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 6:22am@TxPilot & Quencer –
While I have questions about his age, I stop short of that conclusion.
I’m more likely to go with Quencher on high-speed stall.
I’ve never races, but I too am a Commercial Pilot, and I’ve even conducted air shows.
With that said, my money has to back @Quencher on this one.
I’m sure there is adequate wreckage and video for the NTSB to conduct a thorough investigation. Most people would be amazed at what they can analyze from the smallest bits and pieces of wreckage, and/or from videotape.
Report Post »TPaine
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:01amIf you ever had to get a medical for flight clearance, you wouldn‘t question this man’s health qualifications. He was probably in better health than 90% of this country right now. And he was also a stunt pilot, so he knew his stuff, and he knew how to fly. Sounds to me like someone has a problem with “the elderly”, many of whom are only “old” chronologically.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 11:19amSome of the footage I saw showed him pulling up as it seemed during his turning or at the time of turning he couldn’t thus the pull up at that speed causing the stall. My best guess he lost rudder control. I am not a pilot, so I am only guessing, but from attending numerious airshows and a former military wife I feel I have some sense of aircraft operations. Another possibility, in addition to the former rudder issue, speed, and the sudden pull up, he could have pulled too many G’s and passed out?
Report Post »hersey10
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:15pmWhere is the video ????
Report Post »chazman
Posted on September 17, 2011 at 7:59pm… I understand, SUZEE. You are upset and I don’t blame you, but the truth will come out. Please calm down. I am a licensed pilot as well, and have attended many air races in Cleveland, Ohio and Reno, and I have seen moves that I didn’t find exciting at all. I found the actions of these pilots to be downright frightening! It’s like NASCAR of the air. P-51′s and Bearcats trading paint at over 400 M.P.H. If what you saw is true then Mr. Leeward’s aircraft was probably damaged in a bump and grind. More than likely elevator damage. We’ll know soon enough.
Report Post »ksoileau
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:11pmWTF was an 80 year old man doing piloting a plane in an air show?
Report Post »Quencher
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:17pmThis is not an “Air Show” it is rather “Air Races”—- Not the same thing at all.
Report Post »mrplantnut
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:33pmFor all of you ignorant trolls out there. Flying is a privilege that requires a yearly medical exam to keep your pilots license active. Jimmy had to been current because flying warbirds requires not only a regular license but a commercial ticket and various type ratings for specific aircraft (Like the P-51) in the experimental category! Jimmy was a great pilot and a huge contributor to the warbird community and will be missed! Blue Skies forever……..Race #177
Report Post »LastAmerican
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:43pmWTF is anyone doing flying 400+ mph. I’ll tell you what, living. When I’m 80 I sure hope I can do something like that. Didn‘t watch it don’t want to. I feel for everyone there. You have to keep in mind that this is the pinnacle of air racing. The most powerful and the fastest piston aircraft in the world. Think indy on steriods. Things happen and you can’t automatically blame it on his age. None the less I pray for everyone involved.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:56pmMrplantnut – Blue skies forever. : ‘(
Report Post »Beerbear
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 11:06pmLastAmerican, never board a commercial bird. They fly faster than 400.
Blue Skies forever Jimmy.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:10pmBless all who suffered in any way this day.
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:16pmMy Father in law and Uncle have been there for the events this week and came home today, thank GOD. Wow, tragic. Prayers to all.
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on September 16, 2011 at 10:31pmThere’s a much better video out there that was taken almost directly beneath it when it rolled into a full-power split-S. To me, (and I’m speculating here) it looked like something broke or got stuck mechanically in the controls. He went in at full power and it didn’t look like it snap-rolled on him. The roll was to starboard. The video hasn’t been clear enough to tell if there were recovery inputs (rudder) being deflected in the controls, so for all I know the pilot may have blacked out from the initial high-G pull vertical.
Been there enough times to see two fatalities first-hand. It’s always sad, especially for aviation enthusiasts like myself.
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