[Mr.Goodbar]

http://www.news.com.au/world/us-rock...-1226140122189

US rocked by second fatal airshow accident


A T-28 from the six-plane Trojan Horsemen Demonstration Flight Team crashes and explodes. Picture: AP

A PILOT has died after his vintage plane crashed in the second deadly US airshow incident in less than 24 hours.

The pilot was performing an aerobatic maneuver in a T-28 aircraft in in West Virginia when it slammed into the ground at about 2:30pm local time.

Family members told WCNC-TV the dead man was former US Air Force pilot John Mangan, of North Carolina.

There were no reports of injuries among spectators at the 2011 Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Open House and Air Show, which took place at an airfield in Martinsburg, in the far northeast corner of the state.

According to the Journal of Martinsburg, the aircraft was part of a six-plane formation from the T-28 Trojan Horsemen Warbird Formation Aerobatic Team. The team's website says Mangan, an alternate wing team member, was a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and had spent 13 years in active duty, the Journal reported.

The crash occurred during a stunt where two Horsemen were flying belly-to-belly, the news website said. After the planes broke out of formation, one rolled and crashed on a runway, causing thousands at the show to cry, hug and pray.

The West Virginia accident came less than 24 hours after a plane crashed at an air show in Reno, Nev., killing nine and injuring dozens more.

"We were fortunate that the safety measures put in place by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ensured the safety of those on the ground," Major General James Hoyer, adjutant general of the West Virginia National Guard, said.

"Right now our thoughts and prayers are with the family members of the deceased."

National Guard officials and Federal Aviation Administration representatives have opened an investigation into the crash.

[Mr.Goodbar]

I'll say it again:

Originally Posted by Mr.Goodbar ↗

AIRSHOW + DISASTER

Two words that get together for a party far too often.

(or Air race disaster)

[nullface]

These things are boring anyway. I went to one as a kid and played Pokemon the whole time instead.

[Faline]

[kellyhound]

Dropping like flies

[thissiteisfuckedup]

far out , how bizzare !!, RIP.

[BryanXavier]

I thought this was a re-post. Wild. Now there will be a ban on airshows as a knee-jerk reaction.

[SuceMaTub]

Well let's just say I'm not buying season tickets.

[sassieroses]

We have a big airshow every year on opening day of the Kentucky Derby Festival. It always worries me that something like that will happen here.

[Azimuth]

Originally Posted by BryanXavier ↗

I thought this was a re-post. Wild. Now there will be a ban on airshows as a knee-jerk reaction.

I hope not! There is supposed to be one here this summer, I think we have one every 3 years or so. So very beautiful and entertaining; the men and women who fly are very brave-to me anyway.