[quote]
One dead in AirVenture warbird crash when two planes collide; afternoon airshow suspended
The pilot of a P-51 Mustang plane is dead after a collision with another P-51 Mustang on the north-south runway of the Experimental Aircraft Association's AirVenture Friday.
The two planes were flying in the Showcase flights, which is generally about an hour-long performance before the air show starts.
The P-51s were likely in the last group of showcase performers before the air show was to begin.
One of the planes came to rest on its nose on the side of the runway. The second plane ended upside about 100 feet behind the first plane.
After flipping upside down, witnesses said that plane burst into flames.
One pilot has been confirmed dead, according to a statement released by AirVenture spokesman Dick Knapinski. The second pilot had unspecified injuries, according to the release.
Witnesses said the pilot of the plane that ended up on its nose was able to walk away from that plane and first ran toward the burning plane before turning back and then falling to his knees.
Chuck Chall, of Brighton, Mich., saw the crash.
"I could see it developing," Chall said. "I could see it happening before it started."
According to Howell Herman, of Mt. Morris, Ill., who also witnessed the crash, the second P-51 was coming in faster than the P-51 in front. He said at first, it looked like the second plane would overshoot the first.
Other witnesses said the second plane landed, but its propeller clipped the tail of the first plane, pushing it on to its nose. Witnesses said the second plane may have tried to swerve, but ended up flipping over the first plane, to finally land upside in the grass to the east of the runway.
"I was shocked," Herman said. "It's a tragedy. No one expects an accident. These guys are pros."
Onlookers said they realized that they had likely witnessed a fatal accident when they saw emergency responders begin to cover the airplane with a tarp.
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