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Post by jasonmac on Sept 17, 2011 12:21:32 GMT 12
Breaking news at moment... Mustang at Reno hits crowd grandstand.
Video here
No good...
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Post by jasonmac on Sept 17, 2011 12:24:02 GMT 12
RENO, Nev. — A plane crashed into a seating area Friday at the annual Reno air races on Friday, resulting in multiple injuries.
The accident happened just before 4:30 p.m. during the National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport, KTVN-TV reported.
There was no official word on injuries but KRNV-TV aired videotape of the scene that showed at least four people being carried on stretchers to ambulances. What appeared to be debris from the crash was strewn through a seating area in front of the grandstands. A line of military jets could be seen in the background.
Witnesses told KTVN that planes in the Unlimited race were ascending when one aircraft started to nose-dive and then crashed near a spectator stand in the southeast corner. KTVN said the aircraft was a World War II-era P-51. The fate of the pilot was not known.
Washoe County sheriff's officials confirmed to NBC News that a plane had gone into the crowd.
Airport and military crews were evacuating the area.
KOLO-TV reported that the plane was named Galloping Ghost and was piloted by Jimmy Leeward. The plane went down soon after take-off during the beginning of the Unlimited race, the station said.
The competition at the National Championship Air Races and Air Show is done in six classes of aircraft, the races’ website says. The unlimited class “has generally been populated by stock or modified WWII fighters with the P-51 Mustangs, F-8F Bearcats and Hawker Sea Fury being flown most often. The Unlimited Class flies in speeds exceeding 500 mph,” the website says.
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Post by jasonmac on Sept 17, 2011 12:38:21 GMT 12
UPDATE: KOLO-TV reported that the plane that crashed was named Galloping Ghost and was piloted by Jimmy Leeward, described by other media as an 80-year-old real estate developer.
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Post by Darren Masters on Sept 17, 2011 12:43:36 GMT 12
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Post by jasonmac on Sept 17, 2011 12:48:47 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 17, 2011 13:18:01 GMT 12
This is a complete disaster, I just heard about it on Radio New Zealand news at 1pm, where a report form the scene said at least 60 iunjured and 30 thought killed. He said the aircraft hit the box at the front of the grandstand.
We have forum members at Reno right now, god I hope all are ok.
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Post by slackie on Sept 17, 2011 14:07:12 GMT 12
Shows he pulled up out of the race and then it's anyone's guess.
Condolences!
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Sept 17, 2011 15:00:40 GMT 12
Plenty of stories straight from the “horse's mouth” @ the local Reno newspaper.... • Reno Gazette-Journal |
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Post by Brett on Sept 17, 2011 15:02:26 GMT 12
The races have been cancelled for this year.
Galloping Ghost was competing with Rear Bear for second place in a qualifying heat (Strega was miles in front) when the Ghost pulled out of the race around the turn onto the front straight. After leaving the course the aircraft plunged almost vertically into an area of spectator seating.
For those that haven't been to Reno there are is grandstand seating running along the front straight. There is then a gap of about 15 feet for a walkway, then there are 'box seats'. These are areas of the ramp that are sectioned into squares off by poles and ropes like those used for organising queues in banks. Each box contains folding chairs for about 16 people. There are three rows of boxes (A along the front, then B and C is just in front of the grandstand).
The P-51 crashed into this seating. It probably took out about 20 boxes. Debris flew for a significant distance.
54 people were taken away injured. Some of those have since died.
The NTSB has taken control of the area, and will release more accurate numbers of dead and injured when they have confirmed them.
Not a good day for those involved, or air shows in general.
Brett
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Post by Darren Masters on Sept 17, 2011 15:11:09 GMT 12
Not at all. It's probably going to take a while to know just how many are deceased with the nature of the destruction.
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Post by corsair67 on Sept 17, 2011 15:13:39 GMT 12
An 80 year old air race pilot?  |
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Sept 17, 2011 15:14:06 GMT 12
The Reno Gazette-Journal has published a story about the various crashes and fatalities over the decades at the Reno air races. There is currently a link to the story on the homepage of their website. |
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Post by Brett on Sept 17, 2011 15:14:28 GMT 12
Jimmy Leeward was 74.
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Post by adzze on Sept 17, 2011 16:03:54 GMT 12
YouTube has pulled those videos...
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Post by baz62 on Sept 17, 2011 20:11:09 GMT 12
I'm sure a lot of you have seen the news about the modified P51 Mustang racer crashing into the crowd at Reno. My thoughts and condolences to all in the aviation fraternity affected by this accident.  Some amazing footage and photos I've seen showing the elevator trim tab departing. Official word seems to point to a mechanical problem but I'm sure the NTSB investigation will find out for sure. Sure hope this doesn't affect the future of Reno and the operation of older aircraft. The aircraft was like new being extensively modified including a "boil off' coolant system which meant not needing the radiator and belly scoop. |
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Post by obiwan27 on Sept 17, 2011 21:52:33 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 17, 2011 22:45:59 GMT 12
There is a series of photos from many sources on this news page, if you can stomach looking. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2038452/Reno-Nevada-air-race-crash-3-killed-50-injured-WW2-fighter-plane.html?ito=feeds-newsxmlThere's also detail about the late pilot and the incident. I'm amazed that the news agencies are now saying only 3 people including the pilot were killed. When I first heard the news they were saying around 30, then it was 12 for a few hours, now three. I hope the lower figure is accurate. An interesting side story is how a veteran Iroquois that was on static display at the event as a warbird was hastilly fuelled up and thrown into action as a medivac chopper, great work by that team. |
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Post by Darren Masters on Sept 17, 2011 23:03:38 GMT 12
Looking at that it seems indeed something failed on that aircraft??? Speculation yes, but is the elevator missing just before impact? I am totally amazed that only 3 were killed on the ground looking at where he crashed. No doubt the NTSB will be loving some of those pre-crash pics.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 17, 2011 23:17:40 GMT 12
I don't think anyone could "love" the pictures of it about to crash, but I see the point that they will find them useful as there's certainly something odd in the photos. But it is not for us to speculate. No doubt a preliminary investigation report will come out in the next few days.
This is the first time since 1952 that there have been spectator fatalities at a US air event apparently.
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 17, 2011 23:21:12 GMT 12
Oh no.....................
There is a well known NZ Aviation person at those races, I really hope he is ok!!!!
R.I.P. all those poor people, what a tragedy
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R.I.P.
