Reno Crash

[RaptorF22]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/sto ... 50436272/1

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_18914182

A P-51 Mustang "Galloping Ghost" (N79111 S/N 44-15651) piloted by Jimmy Leeward crashed into a grandstand at Reno, killing at least two, including the pilot. My prayers for all involved in this terrible accident, and the families of those involved.

[gtirob01]

This is a terrible accident. Thoughts and prayers go to everyone involved

If Im not mistaken, a member here is the grandson of Jimmy Leeward.

[ApplePie]

My prayers go out to the Leeward family, and all those affected.

[hyperpep111]

Poor guy . My condolences to the family and all affected

[Fozzer]

Many, many injuries, according to my local news this morning:

http://web.orange.co.uk/p/news/video?pr ... d=16071654

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14957437

Sounds like a disaster.

Paul.

[expat]

This could have been a whole lot worse had he crashed a few feet further right (depending which video you have seen).
The news are talking about mechanical failure, but I am thinking (only on the evidence of two pictures, incapacitation??)
If you look at the pictures carried by the DM, in the second from last, the pilots seating position shows him clearly in the cockpit. In picture seven, the aircraft caught in it's final seconds (amusing that the DM has not sexed up the picture by changing angles and touching up as they have been found to do from time to time), the cockpit seems rather empty. Is the pilot slumped forward?? Unfortunately, physical evidence is going to be very hard to find 

Matt

[ozzy72]

The toll is now three dead, 15 critical, 13 seriously injured and 28 with non-life threatening injuries. This is one of the worst airshow crashes for many years.
My thoughts are with the families of all those injured or killed by this terrible tragedy.

[C]

RIP, and condolences to all involved, particularly Specter177, our member here, who as someone has already eluded to, is the pilot's grandson, IIRC.

[C]

The news are talking about mechanical failure, but I am thinking (only on the evidence of two pictures, incapacitation??)

Just seen some pictures and the left elevator trim tab has disconnected. Doesn't seem much, but at those speeds could cause other issues very quickly - including those you mention.

[ozzy72]

Don't forget these aren't standard P-51s, they've been shortened, their wings clipped and everything done to make them as slippery in the air as possible. Unfortunately that comes at the cost of stability, on a standard Mustang you'd get away with it, on something like these racers at the speed they're doing it is a whole different kettle of fish.
I still can't believe this has happened... Possible the worst airshow crash since the Mig-29 went into the crowd a few years back. A truly terribly tragedy.
If anyone speaks with Specter please let him know that all our thoughts are with him and his family at this awful time.

[wifesaysno]

This just shocks me, a crash at Reno isnt out of the ordinary, but not this. I have to say the way the plane pitched up, then stalled, then went down it appears to be a pitch stability problem. You probably cant see Leeward in the picture because the canopy was very small so a picture at many angles would not show him. There is talk it was a "medical emergency" since he was older. I think that is crap, the man still had all his ratings and medical and he had to be in shape to do air racing and stunt flying.
My prayers go out to Specter, his family, and the victims. Specter, your grandfather was a hell of a pilot and is a hero, he saved many more lives.

[wifesaysno]

I just found this article in the May issue of EAA Sport Aviation about Leeward and Galloping Ghost, I thought this quote sums up his spirit and love for air racing: "I'll give Tiger Destefani $10,000 cash if he'll climb back into Strega and let me race him the Galloping Ghost. That's how badly I want to beat him and that airplane." He also talked about how is family tirelessly supported him and his team in there effort to get the Ghost to Reno. Obviously a much loved man with a vibrant personality. I didnt know him, but it seems obvious!

[yancovitch]

i mourn for the people who suffered and died, and i mourn for the loss of the plane.....makes me wonder about the value of material things compared to the value of a human life....

[firemonte007]

such a tragedy...my prayers go out to specter and the family...It is also a shame to see the types of comments that are on the yahoo news...In order to continue flying Leeward had to be in excellent health. So sad

[DaveSims]

My condolences to all affected by this tragedy.

There is a photo circulating now that shows the aircraft clearly while inverted, with the elevator trim tab missing.  I don't know about all aircraft, but I know some where that will cause a complete loss of control (Piper Commanche, Aztecs come to mind).