Crash at Reno

[Scott Calabro]

Just heard on the news a P51 (Jimmy Leeward) went in at the races in Reno resulting in fatalities :sad:

This really sucks.

Official: Reno air race crash 'mass casualty situation'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCNePeKn3Tg&feature=player_embedded

 

[Kevin L]

That sucks, I feel terrible for all involved.

Kevin

 

[Ron Earp]

Just looking at that on the nightly news. So sorry for all involved.

 

[JD]

Our local news reported that the pilot was 80 years old, but other news sites reported his age at 74. At some point we need to accept the fact that we are too old to compete and step back to an "enthusiast" level rather than being a competitor. It is a tough decision that goes against our desire to remain young, but it needs to be done for the safety of all involved rather than our continued "pleasure" and our egos.

 

[Mesa]

I was at the races two years ago, as I sat in the stands the thought did occur that if just the right thing went wrong, these stands could be wiped out. It truly felt like the wild west out there, we discussed amongst ourselves how few places one could see unlimited planes in their full glory.

A sad day for all. Even sadder if the event gets permanently canceled.

 

[Jim Craik]

Rob,

Yes, when I was in College, we went to the races manyl times, I remember it as the best air show you could ever see. Then between the acts, they heid races, incredible!

I was there back in the early 80's when they had the Red Barron P51 crash (a Griffen powerd counter rotating prop racer). Steve Hinton was flying, the motor blew just as he crossed the finish line, the plane crashed in the canyon off the east end of the runway, big ball of flames.

We were in shock, extremely upset, seeing someone die like that. We left immediately and were half way back to Sacramento when we heard he had survived!!

An incredibly lucky set of circumstances allowed Mr Hinton to escape serious injury. I for one could not believe anyone could survive that, but he did.

I have only been back one time since, I lost a lot of enthusiasm for the sport after that.

 

[Jim Craik]

I went back and looked, it was 1979

1979 Reno Air Races -- Part 2 - YouTube

Even today, I still can't believe he could survive that crash, just look at the wreckage!

Unbelievable! When they got to the wreckage, he was talking to them!

I'm so sorry that today they were not so lucky, so sad.

 

[Jim Craik]

Some things I have noticed:

The tail wheel was down, with all the aero work they do, why was the tail wheel down?

In a still shot of the vertical dive, the cockpit appears empty, at least the pilots head is not show.

Absolutly no fire, not even a quick flash. The fuel cell tech must be incredible. We are talking race fuel here.

 

[Scott Calabro]

Jim,

I read a report from an eyewitness who stated a trim tab separated from the airplane. He did not say which one. I would think the pilot would do everything they can to avoid the crowd in a bad situation and from what I've read so far it appears this one did. I dont know how much juice is carried, probably just enough to taxi out, take off, complete a heat and land.

V/P provides the juice;

airplane racing fuel, airplane race gas

A sad day for sure.

I hope I can get there with my Dad next fall.

Cheers,
Scott

 

[Andy Sheldon]

The trim tab was on the lefthand elevator.

They seem to be saying this caused the pilot to pass out due to the G load.

Two of the attached pics show the pilot slumped forward just before the crash.

A very sad day indeed.

 

[Andy Sheldon]

Some are also asking why is the tail wheel down.

The main gear is up and so should the tail wheel be.

 

[Scott Calabro]

Great pictures Andy.

You can see from this video of one on jacks during a gear swing, that the tail wheel is first in extension.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdLWZZakaEY&NR=1

F%$ked up, thats for sure.

 

[Andy Sheldon]

Tail wheel is first out but by then the main gear inner doors are open.

They are still closed in the picture. Very strange.

I guess the exact cause of the accident will be discovered in weeks to come.

 

[Mike Christian]

I was reading that a similar failure happened years ago to a P-51 named Voodoo causing pilot to pass out due to gload and then double over getting stuck between the control stick and the sidewall. That plane didn't roll but climbed and the pilot finally woke up and landed the aircraft.

This video clearly shows the trajectory of the aircraft:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha95cl2gvPI&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Very tragic.

 

[Terry Oxandale]

Excellent video. Question: couldn't the trim tab's failure be overcome with the stick, and in this case perhaps the asymetric roll with the ailerons?

 

[Ron Earp]

Certainly a horrible tragedy. This morning I ran across this horrific image of the event.

.

 

[Bob Fechter]

Possibility of a mechanical failure.
NTSB probes plane's tail in Reno air race crash | Reuters

 

[Mike Christian]

Excellent video. Question: couldn't the trim tab's failure be overcome with the stick, and in this case perhaps the asymetric roll with the ailerons?

If he was conscious and the stick forces were were not too high. He was a 74 year old. The other guy it happened to in 1998 did'nt regain consciousness until the plane had climb to 9000 feet. I can image the quick 10+ G load doubled him over unconscious and he had nothing to do from then on...he was along for the ride. Truly speculation on my part.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

The photos show that his head is not visible in the cockpit, so I suspect he had passed out and slumped over.

 

[Michael Holmes]

Spoke with Cleo Shelby at Camilo Pardo's exhibition in Beverly Hills on Sat night. Both Cleo and Carroll were in the stands at Reno. Shaken up but unhurt.