Apparently he crashed into a spectator box with people sitting on folding chairs, CNN reported the fire officials said that there were multiple fatalities.
What makes you think his age had anything to do with it?
Reports are the plane suddenly pulled straight up, rolled over and then straight down...sounds like it certainly could have been a heart attack or something.
Those pilots pull very high G's...can't be easy on an old man.
There are reports of smoke billowing from the plane before impact... so I would wait until the NTSB chimes in with their black magic and sorcery on the issue before speculating. I am sure there is a ton of video to analyze, and with HD cameras now, probably excellent footage. Plus these old guys that fly these old planes are in better physical condition than half of our video game playing, sun dodging, obese youth. They also have to pass physicals conducted by the FAA, and run supervised test runs before competing in this race. One of you plane geeks can chime in, but I believe after 60, you need an annual physical to fly even private craft. I did my physical this year for my license, and my physical is good for 5 years, but I am sure the doctor mentioned it is every year after a certain point.
However, I am sure someone will eventually link this to the Illuminati lizard new world order.
Anyway, this is a spooky image, and gives a pretty good idea of the area this thing hit.
I have friends on the ground there, one slightly injured and some of her crew hospitalized. Horrific accident. I've been to these races and they are awesome, the pilots and planes are top notch. Wait for the reports before judging anything, these old guys are amazing behind the stick and have to pass physicals so I wouldn't be quick to judge. Believe it or not you build tolerance to g.
As for airshow safety, this is pretty unprecidented in NA, we have massive rules surrounding public safety. Shows are designed to always keep the aircraft at a safe distance, and not generating energy toward the crowd. This was an airrace, a bit different, and you never know what can happen, but for the most part you are pretty safe at an airshow.
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Reports are the plane suddenly pulled straight up, rolled over and then straight down...sounds like it certainly could have been a heart attack or something.
Those pilots pull very high G's...can't be easy on an old man.
Reports are that he was able to slightly pull up to avoid hitting the main grand stand also, so it sounds like he still had some control.
Reports are that he was able to slightly pull up to avoid hitting the main grand stand also, so it sounds like he still had some control.
Im sure we will found out more soon.
A couple witnesses have commented I appeared as he pulled up inverted, which would have directed him straight into the ground. If that is the case, it is likely this pilot may have saved a lot of lives. Nobody will know for sure, but if it was the case, he could be labelled heroic. Impacting the ground head on as it did, likely avoided potentially hundreds of deaths. Had that thing skipped into the stands.... that could have been way, way worse.
Mass Casualties at Reno Air Show [Crash]
