Guys, bad crash just happened at the Reno Air Races. Many people killed, many more injured. News is breaking now.... Let's all give up a prayer for all the people hurt by this horrible incident.

It was Jimmy Leeward from Ocala. I have been to his house for dinner years ago.

It's real bad... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCNeP...layer_embedded

God Bless the dead and injured...

Beave

just heard from some guys out there, apparently went into the pits or stands.

BBC reporting 12 dead, 75 injured, many critical.
Not a good year fro Mustangs after the Duxford accident.

My family and i were leaving for the races tomorrow! This is a bad day for sure.

Very sad.

"NOT A GOOD YEAR FOR MUSTANGS" WOW HOW ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LOST THERE LIVES

Of course, I should have made that clear. I have absolutely the very greatest sympathy for the casualties and their friends and families. Should have made that clear, my sincere apologies if it came over wrongly, it was not intentional. Again, I apologise.

David.

My local news just reported 4 dead. Still a terrible tragedy.

This is horrible. At least there was no fire that would have made the injuries much worse. I have to ask, what an 80 year old is doing flying in unlimited air race conditions. S

FYI, Jimmy Leeward was 74. RIP.

S

Sorry-the news report I heard said he was 80,I knew he was older and didnt fact check my RCU post. Thanks for the "FYI" Spence. Scotty

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44556695/ns/us_news-life/

I just found some comments from another pilot who said he thought that part of the horizontal stab had broken off and another photographer has a shot of the plane missing the trim tab

there is a pic of the tab missing the ghost was inverted when the shot was taken

Yes it was terrible. I watched him in turn 6 do an abrupt flip out of the circuit and pitch up. Looks like he was fighting it. Then it rolled and went straight in to the box seat area. Crashed with such impact the plane was obliterated with a hugh crater in the middle of the box seat. The impact sounded like a bomb going off. Pieces were thrown 150 feet in the air.

I saw it go in. Looked like a mechanical failure of a control surface. One of the prop blades slid to a stop 10 feet in front of us. The pilot had no chance to do anything. It hit at about an 80 degree angle and was probably doing 350mph. Nothing remotely resembling an aircraft remains. God's grace on those killed and the families that they left behind.

Here are a couple of pictures of the crash that are on Fox News' website. Pretty graphic pictures. Wow, this is really such a shame. This is quite a tragedy and my heart goes out to the families of those that died, and my hopes that those injured will heal quickly.


Ken<br type="_moz" />

Here is the latest

http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines...130007898.html

Turbulence

Lose the tab, lose control.......

I have the same feelings as well.

I surprised and relieved (for the many more unharmed spectators in the impact area) there was no fire. As devestating as the loss is, it could have been that much more worse with fire.

Prayers to the families.

** Here's a shot of Jimmy's efforts to keep his crippled plane away from the crowd.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e60_W4tuTNI[/youtube]

Very sad indeed! My heart felt prayers go out to all involved in this tragedy.

Sad loss to all involved, our thoughts are with you.

I wonder if flutter on the elevatorwas a factor in this incident

Alistair.

Seeing the corkscrew effect i suspect the complete stab on that side suffered some type of failure...very tragic for all involved, a very sad day for aviation.
Vin...

Very sad day indeed. My thoughts are with those who lost loved ones.

This is from one of the guys I work with:

"When he came around pylon 8, he pulled up slightly and went to about a 140 heading. it look like he would exit south east over the pit area and clear the area! But I saw it was worse than a small malfunction. He was having control issues at between 200-300 hundred feet, roll, pitch and yaw fluctuations. Then a almost snap roll-split s type left move followed by direct decent into the tarmac! The debris field spread along about a 065 degree heading. I was about 40 feet away on a 130 vector from the crater. "

Someone else noted that just prior to impact that the pilot is missing from the cockpit canopy picture. Some are speculating that during the initial pitch up at the moment of trim tab failure he may have GLOCed. Also, possibly the seat collapsed at that moment as well since he is missing from the picture.

Beave