RCU Forums - Reno - Galloping Ghost Crash

IMHO, unless we find otherwise, the first photo in Crankpin's post is bogus. It's up to each person to decide if it's an example of irresponsible journalism.

What first caught my eye was that the normally retracted tail wheel was out. Next, as Amishwarlord noted, where's the pilot? That's a small canopy and there's little room for a pilot to duck down. Then I turned the LA Times photo on it's side. The plane is at an angle pretty close to when it's parked on the ground. The main landing gear could have been airbrushed out. Also, unless the camera used had a really fast shutter speed, the prop looks like it's frozen. Yes, there's cameras capable of doing that, but those are usually in the hands of pro photographers. It's almost the way it would be when parked. Last, in other photos I've seen in the moments just before impact, I see no one out taking pictures from the angle and altitude presented in that picture.

Granted, in one photo I saw just before impact the tail wheel WAS out. In one of the news stories a witness described the aircraft doing a Split S just before the crash. There would have been a lot of positive G that could have sucked Mr. Leeward down into the cockpit. The other photo I saw was not the greatest quality and my eyes aren't as good as they were, so I might have missed someone shooting the photo that I'm talking about.

If the photo is bogus, then a simple disclaimer saying it was a simulation or recreation would have been in order and everything would be OK. I understand the need to get information out ASAP, but not at the cost of cutting corners. If I'm wrong, then that's a really amazing picture.

Regardless, my prayers go out for the souls of the dead, the recovery of those injured and the eventual comfort of the family and friends affected by this tragic incident. Also, Mustangs Forever and God Bless Dutch Kindelberger and the designers of North American Aviation's Model NA73!