Simviation Forums

Today, at the Vectren Dayton Air Show, airshow pilot Jim LeRoy crashed, and died on his way to the hospital.

He was doing "Loop-the-loops" when his plane smashed into the runway, catching fire.

He was my personal favorite pilot.



It's a shame. Although, these pilots know the risks involved.

He, along with other pilots like the late Jimmy Franklin and the late Bobby Youkin, (all members of the X-Team AKA: Master of Disaster) were in the buisness to promote flying. To bring a new level of excitement to the people.

He will be missed by many fellow pilots, as well as the thousands of people he performed for.

The only good thing I can say is, he didn't die a death that he "shouldn't have died." (ex. Drunk Driver) He died doing what he loved.

I'm glad I got to meet him.

Tragic news. Jim was a legend even on my side of the Atlantic

It seems air accidents come in threes.
It's a shame and sorry to hear of his accident.

RIP, a true legend... is that 5 crashes today??? (Two stangs, news choppers and this?)  :'(

You guys didn't see hm hit the ground, skid, and burst into flames like I did. I was there, it was horrible. RIP Jim

I saw him go below a tent and not climb up..... a great lose to the the aviation worl
d  :'(

this has been one of the worst months in Aviation!


My condolances for Jims Familf and Friends

I was in one of the tents up front 600ft or so from the runway. I hate how the news reports say that Skip and Jim had a mid air. >:( NOT what happened.

One of the coolest acts, and the friendliest person on the airshow circut.  I was shocked when I heard it was him

A great person and I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet him.  A great guy who just wanted to share his love of aviation.  He will be extremely missed and thoughts and prayers go out to his family

Terrible year for aviation.  :'(

R.I.P.  :'(

I was there when the tragic crash happened. I did not see Jim LeRoy impact but I was watching from right next to the pavillion when I only saw Skip Stewart pull up from the loop that they were performing. I was in shock and disbelief when I saw the black smoke and heard Rob Reider announce that there had been a crash.  My cousin's fiance had never been to an airshow before because she was afraid that someone would crash. She came on Saturday and witnessed the first crash in the history of the Dayton Air Show.  


This is a picture from within two minutes of the crash  

RIP..sad to see another great aviator go..but as said before, he died doing wat he loved, and thats the way i wanna die, is doing something i love..

RIP..

ben  :'(

The crash was even more sad because Jim's wife and son were there  :'(. Jim LeRoy rest in peace.  

I have a picture when Jim was at the top of his loop seconds before the crash. It was sad that his wife and son where there. Hopefully what the corner said was true, that he died on impact, because it would of been horrible for him to suffer in the burning cockpit, alive.