Two confirmed deaths, 54 injuries. All I can think is what was the pilot doing that got him into such a position for such a crash.
EDIT: Supposedly a broken rudder or something had to do with it, and like mystere9 said, he's old so it wouldn't take very many G's to make him pass out. A memorial is going to be held Saturday afternoon.
It always seems like these air shows are prone to crashes.. that was really hard to look at nonetheless. But because of this stuff i've been paranoid enough to know not to go to these things o_e.
Those two souls RIP.
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The pilot was an experienced pilot and a regular with the Reno Air Races. He was also elderly. It's probable that he had a medical emergency in-flight which struck too fast; he may simply have been unable to avoid this. That he hit the outskirts of the crowd rather than plowing through the heart of it speaks volumes of his final moments. I suspect the only real changes we'll see is a rethinking of flight paths and better disaster training for the volunteers. Air races/shows are by their nature inherently dangerous and there's only so much you can do to avoid mishaps like this.
Currently stands at 3 dead, 25 critically injured, 25 seriously injured, 25 minor injuries. Odd coincidence of numbers, but sure to change. Some talk of possible mechanical problem with the P-51, but will be a while before the NTSB can determine that.
I saw this on the news when it happened. I felt absolutely terrible. Although, I do hope they figure out the true cause for it, since they are just guessing for the moment. I mostly feel terrible for the families that had to deal with the news their family member is dead/injured.
For me, all this does is cement my lack of interest of ever attending. Living directly below the southern approach into Reno-Tahoe International (8ish miles south of Stead, where the "Reno" Air Races are held) is all the die-in-a-plane-crash-on-the-ground concern I need, thank you.
Incidentally, there WAS a plane crash on the southern approach some years before we moved to Reno. A cargo plane plowed into South Virginia Street (major north-south road) shortly after takeoff. Had it flown a bit further, it would have plowed into the neighborhood I now live in. Some years back, the airport wanted to realign the southern approach to stay above S.Virginia to mitigate that possibility and to abate some of the noise, but some whiny homeowners even further south complained about their decibels going up ever so slightly (vs. ours going down rather significantly) so the airport dropped the plans. Our safety was less important than the non-perceivable increase in noise some people would have had.
It's probable that he had a medical emergency in-flight which struck too fast;
No it isn't, he was in exceptionally good health. The likely cause of the crash was a control surface mechanical failure, since he radioed a mayday and pulled out of the race. He knew something was wrong, that does not indicate a medical emergency.
It goes without saying that if you lose control surfaces in a plane, you lose control of the plane and that means that plane can go in any direction and at that speed cover a large distance in a short time. In fact, he probably stayed with the plane in an attempt to make sure that it didn't crash into the spectators, but unfortunately he was unsuccessful.
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Never attribute to malice what can adequately be explained by incompetence.
Crossing the street is inherently dangerous. That's hardly a justification for supporting anything.
Pardon, but who's supporting or not supporting something? I stated a fact, not a justification. You can get off your high horse now as you only look like an ass.
No it isn't, he was in exceptionally good health. The likely cause of the crash was a control surface mechanical failure, since he radioed a mayday and pulled out of the race. He knew something was wrong, that does not indicate a medical emergency.
It goes without saying that if you lose control surfaces in a plane, you lose control of the plane and that means that plane can go in any direction and at that speed cover a large distance in a short time. In fact, he probably stayed with the plane in an attempt to make sure that it didn't crash into the spectators, but unfortunately he was unsuccessful.
Well look at you making use of the benefit of hindsight and new information out since last night. Have yourself a cookie.
EDIT: Supposedly a broken rudder or something had to do with it, and like mystere9 said, he's old so it wouldn't take very many G's to make him pass out. A memorial is going to be held Saturday afternoon.
My heart goes out to the families of the deceased and the injured.
May the dead rest in peace.
Could it have been(an incredibly irresponsible) suicide?Ah, passed out due to G-forces makes more sense.Like anime? Try Visual Novels.
Those two souls RIP.
I don't even have airshows to go to. Plus it doesn't look very interesting anyways. Just NASCAR without the cars and asphalt.
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Incidentally, there WAS a plane crash on the southern approach some years before we moved to Reno. A cargo plane plowed into South Virginia Street (major north-south road) shortly after takeoff. Had it flown a bit further, it would have plowed into the neighborhood I now live in. Some years back, the airport wanted to realign the southern approach to stay above S.Virginia to mitigate that possibility and to abate some of the noise, but some whiny homeowners even further south complained about their decibels going up ever so slightly (vs. ours going down rather significantly) so the airport dropped the plans. Our safety was less important than the non-perceivable increase in noise some people would have had.
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No it isn't, he was in exceptionally good health. The likely cause of the crash was a control surface mechanical failure, since he radioed a mayday and pulled out of the race. He knew something was wrong, that does not indicate a medical emergency.
It goes without saying that if you lose control surfaces in a plane, you lose control of the plane and that means that plane can go in any direction and at that speed cover a large distance in a short time. In fact, he probably stayed with the plane in an attempt to make sure that it didn't crash into the spectators, but unfortunately he was unsuccessful.
Crossing the street is inherently dangerous. That's hardly a justification for supporting anything.
You heard that, green and red.
New profile quote for me, +1 to you for being a smart person.
Pardon, but who's supporting or not supporting something? I stated a fact, not a justification. You can get off your high horse now as you only look like an ass.
Well look at you making use of the benefit of hindsight and new information out since last night. Have yourself a cookie.