A Day at the Races

[KG_Jag]

Yesterday my day at the Reno Air Races turned out a little different than expected. I left the grounds after the Navy Legacy Flight and the start of the jet heat--about 1/2 hour before the tragic crash. My wife, who had left even earlier to check on her mom, picked me up next to one of the gates.

Steve (who [with Michelle] attended the 2009 races with us) called me last night to check on us. Thanks buddy for thinking of us.

From page 5A of today's Reno Gazette-Journal:

"Geg Schwab of Provo, Utah, was sitting in the front row of the box seats and was saved by ducking around a corner. When he stood up, he went out to help but found what he could only describe as carnage. 'There were lots of bodies with missing parts,' said Schwab, who had blood on his shirt and arms from helping some of the injured around him.

'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 was to 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.' "

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The crash took place very near the home pylon, where the course is closest to the crowd--for all classes of planes. There is an obvious need, should the event continue, to move those pylons at least 100 yards further north (away from the seats and stands).

[KG_SSpoom]

From the video I have seen it looks like it hit right in front of where we were sitting in2009.
You're welcome bud we were just thrilled to hear your voice when I called and knew you and Daphne were safe.
A tragic accident but it seems the pilots skill saved many more lives. We would go back in a heartbeat
to see the races again especially the WW 2 fighters they were truly something to see in flight.

[KG_Jag]

The crash occurred to the left of where we were sitting (and where Daph and I sat again this year)--right in front of the "luxary" boxes, which are in front of the extra cost bleachers.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Glad to hear you guys are ok. Good news is that its pouring in Austin!

[KG_Swampfox]

Glad to hear that your ok Bill...

I'm some what ignorant about air racing, so I hope that this doesnt come across as rude.

I was more than a little suprised that the pilot was 74 years old.

Is it common for someone that old to be flying a physically demanding souped up mustang in high G turns??

[KG_Jag]

I only know that the pilots tend to be "older" and unlike airlines can fly beyond their 65th birthday. In fact the pilot's age was first reported as 80.

There is a debate/discussion on other sites about age and air racing. Personally, I can't see someone even into their 60's allowed to fly in this ultra hazardous sport, especially in highly modified hot and/or 60 to 70 year old planes.

[KG_Jag]

Recommendations made as a result of the September 2011 fatal crash:

http://classicjets.org/content/ntsb-...ecommendations