Reno Air Race Accident... (NEWS)

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Holy crap!

I hope that plane didn't hit any audience members or anyone on that tarmac. That is unbelievable.

Wow.
 
From CNN: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/16/plane-crashes-near-spectators-at-reno-air-races/?hpt=hp_t1
There are people still being escorted out of that area with various injuries," a spokesman for a Nevada air show said early Friday evening, shortly after a P-51 plane crashed in front of a grandstand. Mike Draper said he's been told there are "likely fatalities" but it has not been determined who they may be, nor whether the pilot of the "Galloping Ghost" aircraft that went down survived.
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Wow. That makes my stomach turn just thinking about it. Time for prayers.
 
From YouTube. I'm looking for sources:

1) The pilot was 80-year-old Jimmy Leeward.
2) Crashed near grandstand.
3) 12 confirmed dead, 75 or more with critical injuries.
4) One witness Tweeted that "a man was cut in half".
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[UPDATE]

From FOX news:
A medical official later said more than 75 people had been injured, including 25 critically. There was no offiical word on deaths, but the crash near the grandstands left a horrific scene of bodies and wreckage......FoxReno.com cited an unnamed source putting the death toll at two so far, while KOLO-TV put that number as high as 12.
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http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/09/16/plane-crashes-at-nevada-air-race/
 
Wow, better footage of the flightpath was captured

I have removed the video, thanks for the feedback on that, I was not sure if I should have posted the video, but I wanted to understand how it happened.

Tragic, looks like maybe he had a mechanical problem... my thoughts are with those involved and their families.
 
an horrific crash and a terrible situation for those involved - thank you mods for blocking the vid...it does not need to be here.

why would an 80 year old man be allowed to race an unlimited p-51 at all?...most 80yr old people cant even drive a car.

I can only imagine that the stress put on the human body in F-1 auto racing would be nothing compared to the rigor of air racing in such a powerful machine

I imagine the rules will have to be adjusted going forward if Reno Racing is allowed to continue at all
 
heywooood said:
an horrific crash and a terrible situation for those involved - thank you mods for blocking the vid...it does not need to be here.

why would an 80 year old man be allowed to race an unlimited p-51 at all?...most 80yr old people cant even drive a car.

I can only imagine that the stress put on the human body in F-1 auto racing would be nothing compared to the rigor of air racing in such a powerful machine

I imagine the rules will have to be adjusted going forward if Reno Racing is allowed to continue at all
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He was fully medically flight checked. I have no doubt that even at his age, he was fully qualified within the legal limits of the law to pilot that aircraft safely.
 
yes and those cert's will be examined closely...look - I love air racing and all airshow events, but I have to believe his age is going to be the focus of the litigation and the media coverage of this tragedy

I'm concerned that my sport and my passion will suffer because someone didn't want to end someone elses career

that's all I'm saying - he might have been capable of flying such a machine...and out by himself over a deserted pasture without the added pressure of competition? ok...

But with so many lives at stake on the ground, women and children's lives mind you....why would anyone risk it?
 
I would suggest this thread be moved to newshawks maybe, no disrespect but what has it to with FSX ?? plus it might well degenerate into personal opinion arguments.
 
Rich, I agree with your opinion. I'm going to close this thread now. For those wishing to continue to follow the topic please click here to go to the same subject in the Newshawks forum.
Thanks in advance for your understanding.
 
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