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NTSB Provides Investigative Update and Issues Recommendations to Increase Safety at Air Races
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) provided an investigative update on April 10, 2012, on last year’s crash of a highly modified P-51D airplane at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev. On Sept. 16, 2011, the pilot of the Galloping Ghost experienced an upset while turning between pylons 8 and 9 on the racecourse. The airplane crashed on the ramp in the box seat spectator area. The pilot and 10 spectators were killed and more than 60 others were injured.
In addition to the investigative update, NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman announced that the agency was issuing a total of seven safety recommendations to make the National Championship Air Races a safer event for pilots and spectators alike.
“We are not here to put a stop to air racing,” said Chairman Hersman. “We are here to make it safer.”
Editorial: First Reno Air Race Accident Lawsuit Filed
Negligent. In aviation that’s a foul word. In legal terms it is devastating. On Nov. 2, the Reno Gazette Journal reported that the first lawsuit stemming from the tragedy at this year’s National Championship Air Races had been f
The Pylon Place - October 2011
September 16, 2011 – The Saddest Day
By Marilyn Dash
Peace Jimmy (Tim Adams)By now most of you have heard of our tragedy at the Reno Air Races on September 16. I have still not come to a point where I can talk about what I saw and what I experienced. But, I wanted to tell you a story.
They say that extraordinary people do extraordinary things. And I will say that every single one of the pilots and crew at the Reno Air Races are extraordinary people. They breathe a little deeper, love a little harder, stand closer to the edge. We know there are dangers in doing what we do – but we never thought our activities would hurt anyone else. Losing one of our own is a tragedy. Losing people who were only there to cheer us on is a catastrophe. Sometimes, these extraordinary things go extraordinarily wrong.