Reno Air Race Disaster

[Marsh White]

One of our esteemed moderaters, Pat Conlon was at the Reno Air Races.  If you don't know, here is what happened: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/09/17/nevada.plane.crash/

I have a text message out to him - as it is too early in the morning to call.  I just wanted to say to everyone to keep him in your thoughts (and prayers if you are religious).  Pat, I hope you are okay!

[racerman_27410]

oh no.... thats terrible.

I hope Pat is ok...

[terryk]

Terrible accident. Here is the plane in a good view of the incident. Looks like he had an issue, one report says he clipped a pylon during the race, and pulled up, racing protocol, and maybe stalled or the controls did not respond due to damage perhaps. Many killed, terrifying.

Plane Crash at Reno Air Race 2011 (Angle 2)

[Marsh White]

Amateur video: Deadly plane crash at Reno, Nevada air show

[Yamifj1200]

Marsh, please tell us you have heard back from Pat.. or is there a way we can call to see if he's ok...

Thanks Eric M

[Marsh White]

I just heard back from him and he is fine.  He wasn't there yesterday - his tickets were for today.  Sorry to worry anyone!

[Yamifj1200]

Thanks Marsh thats good news..

Eric M

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks for the good thoughts folks. The impact area was right below my seats.
I wanted to go to Friday's heat races but a meeting cancellation and reschedule meant that I had a appointment on Thursday so... instead of driving up on Thursday I drove up on Friday.

Heartbreaking...... My prayers to all those impacted by this event.

With the loss of Reno, I don't think we will ever see those beautiful old WWII warbirds fly again..... Reno was the only venue.
An era gone for the young kids. They will never get to hear the music of multiple Merlin engines in full song... Heartbreaking.

Paddy

[craigo]

Thanks for the good thoughts folks. The impact area was right below my seats.
I wanted to go to Friday's heat races but a meeting cancellation and reschedule meant that I had a appointment on Thursday so... instead of driving up on Thursday I drove up on Friday.

Heartbreaking...... My prayers to all those impacted by this event.

With the loss of Reno, I don't think we will ever see those beautiful old WWII warbirds fly again..... Reno was the only venue.
An era gone for the young kids. They will never get to hear the music of multiple Merlin engines in full song... Heartbreaking.

Paddy

Amen, my feelings exactly.....

Not only the people who lost their lives or sustained injuries, but the end of an era.  Sad that all reminders of the "Greatest Generation" are slowly disappearing from our collective minds. 

This is a sad event on so many levels,

CraigO

[terryk]

Glad you are OK Pat. Terrible accident. Lets hope Reno will stay open for racing business with new safety measures and procedures. But you can not mitigate all risks. The major airshows still have the WW2 birds to go and see and the newer stuff of course. Terrible and tragic loss of life and too many injured.

[rktmanfj]

Thanks for the good thoughts folks. The impact area was right below my seats.
I wanted to go to Friday's heat races but a meeting cancellation and reschedule meant that I had a appointment on Thursday so... instead of driving up on Thursday I drove up on Friday.

Heartbreaking...... My prayers to all those impacted by this event.

With the loss of Reno, I don't think we will ever see those beautiful old WWII warbirds fly again..... Reno was the only venue.
An era gone for the young kids. They will never get to hear the music of multiple Merlin engines in full song... Heartbreaking.

Paddy

Glad to hear you're okay, Pat...  thoughts and prayers for the victims.

These guys did the Indy Air Show last year, they're pretty good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horsemen_Aerobatic_Team

[Marsh White]

Thanks for the good thoughts folks. The impact area was right below my seats.
I wanted to go to Friday's heat races but a meeting cancellation and reschedule meant that I had a appointment on Thursday so... instead of driving up on Thursday I drove up on Friday.

The next time I have a metting cancellation I'll try to remember that it might just save my life!

[Striker]

Me and a buddy have gone to this for the past three years. We are both huge aviation enthusiasts (I'm graduating this year as a commercial pilot) this is a huge tragedy that happened and I am very so sorry for the loss of life and for the injured at this event. To be able to see those birds in the air was and will be one of the most exciting things I've ever been able to see in my life. Things happen for a reason Pat. I was not able to make it this year due to conflict with work schedule. And was also supposed to be near the impact area. My thoughts go out to all those affected by this. And still hope one day that people of my generation (i'm 28) will have the opportunity to hear those engines once again.

[tqmx1]

If anyone cares about what happened. From some inside informantion it sounds like,

Airspeed was around 495MPH around pylon 7

When the trim tab broke off the airplane pitched up pulling 21Gs and the airspeed reduced to 375. ( tail wheel popped out, pilot slumped below view)

Throttle stayed wide open at 105" manfold pressure until impact. (stock Merlin pulles 61" at take off power and sea level is aprox.30".

Airspeed at impact was 425 mph.

Looks like the pilot went to sleep in the pull and was out for the duration.(I don't care if it was a 25 year old in there  he is not going to stay awake under those loads!)

The fire was suppressed by a speciall foam that was in the tanks.

RIP Jimmie and the other 10 soles