What just happened at Reno?

[Bluedharma]

My condolences to all involved.

[Dan Johnson II]

Part of the elevator trim tab clearly missing in the AP photo....

Tail gear out in the other photo of the plane before the crash. Yuck

[Nathan]

Well if joe public doesnt know anything about warbirds he sure does now. And the comments coming from all the internet news is nothing but "stop flying them". Enjoy seeing them fly because soon we may not have the chance.

[Randy Haskin]

In the photos being circulated on Yahoo, one seriously bothers me, and it is the pic BEFORE the pic that has been shown here, it shows a side view of 'Ghost' alledgedly just seconds before impact...and I gotta ask...WHERE is the pilot? ALL I see in that pic is plexiglass, no hint of a helmet or anyone in the cockpit...and comparing it with other photos of 'Ghost' on takeoff and in the air, you can ALWAYS see the pilot/Leeward in the plexiglass.....can someone smarter than me post that photo up here for folks to see?

Just putting it out there....

Mark

It's a doctored up static side view of the airplane. You'll notice that it's viewed perfectly down the wing line. Not an authentic photo of the incident.

Last edited by Randy Haskin on Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Rob Mears]

Yep, you have to hand it to the guys with the Huey. Nothing beats having an authentic warbird that can really do some good in a pinch like that. Hats off to them for thinking fast and pitching in to provide critical help.

Last edited by Rob Mears on Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[N3Njeff]

and the speculation begins on WIX.

[corsair166b]

I have photos that I have shot 'down the wing line' of many planes in the air.....unless someone is REALLY good at doctoring REALLY fast....this one still bothers me....

Mark

[BuzzBy]

Tailwheel down too. I assume from the G forces?

My deepest condolences to family and friends of all involved.

John

[Randy Haskin]

If that's a legitimate photo, then it's pretty miraculous.

[Rob Mears]

I think airknocker's comments are pretty insightful regarding the parallels with the Bob Hannah mishap. As for the photo, the shadows are on the top side of the plane so I'm guessing its authentic. The vantage point is consistant with the other photos in the series. Look closely at both photos and you'll realize why the cockpit appears empty.

Last edited by Rob Mears on Fri Sep 16, 2011 11:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[hstandard4]

Part of the elevator trim tab clearly missing in the AP photo....

Tail gear out in the other photo of the plane before the crash. Yuck

Why does he not have shoulder straps on????

And can't you SEE the back of his helmet against the instrument panel???

A heart attack??

Pushed down on the gear handle??
which is to his lower left??



Doc the curious

[Rob Mears]

hstandard4, reference and read the link in airknocker's post on page 5.

[bluehawk15]

Yes, this has been a most tragic year for us. NO I do not think we need to stand-down the rest of the year. Some of the biggest shows are yet to come. What we need to do, from pilots to ground crew, is to check and triple check our safety procedures, for the rest of the year and the rest of our involvement with these aircraft. Accidents happen, but all too often it's a chain of events that cause them. Now more than ever before, we need to break a link in that chain. Think, think, think SAFETY before anything!

[P51Mstg]

I watched it all happen from maybe 150 yds away.

Since I was at Reno as Media, I'm not allowed to comment or report on what I saw. A lot of it was on the internet already. I'll see what they say after tomorrow's media briefing and what I can say.

I don't think a safety standdown is necessary, this is a unique accident. HOWEVER, I really think that inusrance companies are going to do their best to see that they get sufficient premiums to cover potential losses, which means if they do that, probably no more airshows.....


Mark H

[Dan Johnson II]

If that's a legitimate photo, then it's pretty miraculous.

The photo on CNN.com shows the tail wheel down as well.