Airplane Crash at Reno Air Races Friday Sept 16 2011

[BryanXavier]

On September 16, 2011, an accident occurred at the Reno Air Races, one of the most popular air racing events in the world. The crash involved a P-51 Mustang airplane named "The Galloping Ghost," piloted by 74-year-old Jimmy Leeward. The incident resulted in the deaths of 11 people, including the pilot, and injured more than 70 others.

The accident happened during the Gold Heat of the race, held at the Reno-Stead Airport. The aircraft, while making a turn, suddenly pitched up, rolled, and then nosedived into the spectator area near the grandstands. The impact caused a large, deadly debris field and resulted in catastrophic injuries and fatalities among spectators.

Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that the crash was likely caused by a combination of factors. These included modifications to the aircraft that had made it faster but less stable, a lost piece of the tail structure (a trim tab) that led to loss of control, and the age and physical condition of the pilot, which may have contributed to his inability to maintain control of the aircraft.

[d23623d]

This is horrible.

[BryanXavier]

I have a google alert for any other videos. There was another on youtube but the only interesting tin I heard him say was that the plane hit the tarmac in front or hitting the front of the grand stands there. No explosion. "Carnage" is the word an article used.

[BrownRock]

[Mr.Goodbar]

AIRSHOW + DISASTER

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

(or Air race disaster)

[fastfish]

Witnesses to today’s crash at the Reno National Championship Air Races are describing a horrific scene, with multiple fatalities and body parts strewn across the tarmac at Reno-Stead Airport.

"It’s just like a massacre. It’s like a bomb went off,” said Dr. Gerald Lent of Reno, who witnessed the crash. "There are people lying all over the runway.”

The only thing the Korean War veteran could compare the scene to was combat.

"One guy was cut in half. There’s blood everywhere,” Lent said. "There’s arms and legs. One guy just said ‘hey, there’s another foot over here.”

[BrownRock]

Looks like there were bodies flying in that video.

[Mr.Goodbar]

Sucks, all those poor people etc etc
From a gore perspective there probably won't be many/any pics as it's the United States and they don't film every corpse they find and post on the internet

[Degu]

An unnecessary hobby with high risks so of course there are humans doing it. I'm just glad I can be satisfied with video games, jigsaw puzzles, crafts and other activities with no risk of smashing into the ground at high speeds and disintegrating.

[rabenson]

Jimmy Leeward and his P-51 Mustang Galloping Ghost.