The remaining hours of the final Reno Air Races have been cancelled after a crash between 2 planes killed each of those planes' pilots Sunday afternoon. Pilots Nick Macy and Chris Rushing died in what a statement from the Air Races is calling a landing accident.
I'm so sorry, T.C. It sounds like you also knew the pilot whose stabilizer fluttered and detached, such that he unavoidably crashed into the spectator seating area, sometime in the past ten years. I'm so sorry for the losses of your friends. Are the organizers of Reno looking into procedures they could institute that would increase safety?
I just read your comment further down that it was a pilot named Jimmy Leeward--also your friend, I gather--who crashed into the seated crowd at Reno. Again my condolences. I'm very sorry for the friends you have lost, and relieved to hear that no more races will be held at Reno due to the new suburbs that are too close to the action.
He wasn't a friend, more an acquaintance, but definitely not a stranger. Also Gary Levitz seven years before that.
Fortunately the Reno Air Races are done. These were the last. Stead Field used to be out in the desert boonies, but now it's surrounded by "suburbia." Insurance won't cover them anymore.
I’m so sorry Tom. My nephew was there and saw the crash. He was devastated. He’s a commercial pilot for United and it hit him very hard. My niece texted me right after it happened. I almost went with them to Reno, but ended up not going. Again so sorry about your friend.
Unlike the other two I knew who died in the races, at least this one didn't happen in front of me. I have about 20 hours in the back seat of Chris' T-6.
As I have gotten older, the losses pile up til I feel like Swiss cheese. More holes than cheese. Such grief on what should have been a happy occasion. Remember the happy, helps survive the devastating sad. But you know that.
I’m sorry for your loss Tom 🙏 , I get it that he was part of your community, I remember well the photos you posted of your trip up to Santa Barbara and back, Westlake Village where I used to live was in one of them. 20 hours flying with him will be a source of fond memories that you will enjoy until you meet again. All of you will be in my thoughts in the coming days 🙏
Really sorry to hear this, Tom..... Not only the tragic loss of good men, but this was no way to go out for the Reno Air Races. There have been so many high-profile accidents of late - maybe Ernest K. Gann was right - fate is the hunter.....
This was the last. Insurance wasn't going to cover any more, now that all the land surrounding Stead Field - which used to be out in the desert boonies - has been turned into suburbia.
I'm actually glad they're over. I was outraged in 2012 when Jimmy Leeward crashed into the crowd. That spot he hit was never supposed to have people in it - we only went in there when we had an airplane that needed to do a runup, and there wasn't anybody out on the course. But then they decided to charge people $100/day to "get close to the race." And surprise surprise, just like we said back then, if an airplane comes around the last pylon and gets in bad trouble, that's where it will crash.
I apologize for the late reply; I'm behind on my reading. I am so very sorry for your loss and the loss to their families and extended families. These days, it seems grief is so thick in the air, it's hard to breathe.
I am so sorry. There are no words adequate to such a time as this.💔 for you and their families, friends and extended connections.
Chris is the third guy I knew who died at Reno.
I'm so sorry, T.C. It sounds like you also knew the pilot whose stabilizer fluttered and detached, such that he unavoidably crashed into the spectator seating area, sometime in the past ten years. I'm so sorry for the losses of your friends. Are the organizers of Reno looking into procedures they could institute that would increase safety?
I just read your comment further down that it was a pilot named Jimmy Leeward--also your friend, I gather--who crashed into the seated crowd at Reno. Again my condolences. I'm very sorry for the friends you have lost, and relieved to hear that no more races will be held at Reno due to the new suburbs that are too close to the action.
He wasn't a friend, more an acquaintance, but definitely not a stranger. Also Gary Levitz seven years before that.
Fortunately the Reno Air Races are done. These were the last. Stead Field used to be out in the desert boonies, but now it's surrounded by "suburbia." Insurance won't cover them anymore.
😪
I’m so sorry Tom. My nephew was there and saw the crash. He was devastated. He’s a commercial pilot for United and it hit him very hard. My niece texted me right after it happened. I almost went with them to Reno, but ended up not going. Again so sorry about your friend.
Unlike the other two I knew who died in the races, at least this one didn't happen in front of me. I have about 20 hours in the back seat of Chris' T-6.
Damn
I'm so sorry for your loss. Blessings to their families and the flying community.
Sorry for your loss Tom. But remember he died doing what he loved.
Yeah, I remember that. And if somehow he'd been told this would happen, he'd still have taken off.
What a horrible loss.
Very sorry to hear that. God be with you and the families of both flyers.
So sorry, Tom. Good vibrations coming your way, my good man.
As I have gotten older, the losses pile up til I feel like Swiss cheese. More holes than cheese. Such grief on what should have been a happy occasion. Remember the happy, helps survive the devastating sad. But you know that.
I’m sorry for your loss Tom 🙏 , I get it that he was part of your community, I remember well the photos you posted of your trip up to Santa Barbara and back, Westlake Village where I used to live was in one of them. 20 hours flying with him will be a source of fond memories that you will enjoy until you meet again. All of you will be in my thoughts in the coming days 🙏
Really sorry to hear this, Tom..... Not only the tragic loss of good men, but this was no way to go out for the Reno Air Races. There have been so many high-profile accidents of late - maybe Ernest K. Gann was right - fate is the hunter.....
I am so terribly sorry, Tom. ❤
I too am sorry to hear this sad news and for the loss of your friend, TC.
My gosh, after your 3 losses at those Races you must dread them on one level. I know there is always some risk.
This was the last. Insurance wasn't going to cover any more, now that all the land surrounding Stead Field - which used to be out in the desert boonies - has been turned into suburbia.
I'm actually glad they're over. I was outraged in 2012 when Jimmy Leeward crashed into the crowd. That spot he hit was never supposed to have people in it - we only went in there when we had an airplane that needed to do a runup, and there wasn't anybody out on the course. But then they decided to charge people $100/day to "get close to the race." And surprise surprise, just like we said back then, if an airplane comes around the last pylon and gets in bad trouble, that's where it will crash.
Money rules the fools, it seems.
There's always that final Great Beyond. So regrettable and so painful for those who knew and loved them. Sorry for your loss of a friend, Tom.
Many of us have aged into that zone where the losses keep increasing, and we have to be philosophical or we'll break.
I apologize for the late reply; I'm behind on my reading. I am so very sorry for your loss and the loss to their families and extended families. These days, it seems grief is so thick in the air, it's hard to breathe.
I’m sorry for the loss of your friends TC! Perhaps you can find some small comfort in knowing they were doing what they loved. 😔
So sad to hear such things. I feel for you, TC. Tough to loose a friend.