Reno air crash ( P51 )

[Baron]

Sounds like a really good idea to let a 74 year old fly in that venue (high stake racing).


Wonder why we don't see that more often in say F1.


Condolences to those who died needlessly.



P.S. Not insulting the pilot or anyone, more the setup/phenomenon that is Unlimited Reno Air Racing = Extreme risk no rules no restriction what's the point racing. Imo.

[Madfish]

Duplicate thread by the way. This one was first: http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthread.php?t=26260

[diveplane]

terrible accident but...


like it or not this man was way to old to get behind a fast ww2 warbird,
again always takes a disaster before changes made.


FAA needs to rethink safety at airshows and more health checkups for all
pilots young and old to get behind a cockpit to fly , fit enough for certain aircraft types to control fly.

also other note ,imo crowds at this event where far to close to runway display areas, officials made a wrong judgement here.

[bongodriver]

like it or not this man was way to old to get behind a fast ww2 warbird,

Can you provide evidence that backs this up? or is it just an oppinion, if the reasons for the accident turns out to be not pilot error but a serious mechanical failure can you explain how age is relevant?

you 'may' have a point with the crowd line proximity, but then what choices are we left with? ban air shows? put the crowd so far away that the whole point is defeated......as tragic as the event is, if things get regulated out of existense because a few people die once in a blue moon then there is practically no point to life because it would be so damned boring, let's all live in protected bubbles where no harm can ever come to us.

[diveplane]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

Can you provide evidence that backs this up? or is it just an oppinion, if the reasons for the accident turns out to be not pilot error but a serious mechanical failure can you explain how age is relevant?

you 'may' have a point with the crowd line proximity, but then what choices are we left with? ban air shows? put the crowd so far away that the whole point is defeated......as tragic as the event is, if things get regulated out of existense because a few people die once in a blue moon then there is practically no point to life because it would be so damned boring, let's all live in protected bubbles where no harm can ever come to us.

either g load or heart attack prior to crash, head is not visible prior to crash.

again these old war bird pilots have to much ego , think they can still fly
but the bodies cant take the punishment really.


why i say age restrictions and frequent health checkups make sure your fit to fly.

pic below

Nosedive: The P-51 Mustang airplane is shown right before crashing into the grandstand. =note no pilot visible, either g lock , or he had a possible stroke heart attack and slumped over, speculation atm.., yes could be control surface linkage jammed? cant rule out that either atm, but nothing left of the aircraft to rebuild it,
is there a datalog black box even in these planes to salvage? this would show data.


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/...27_306x491.jpg

[Sternjaeger II]

this is already being discussed in the Lounge, but anyway check this pic guys

http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-201_162-...=page;previous

the pilot is not in view, that's never a good sign.. considering the steep angle at which he's coming down, it's likely he's leaning on the stick.

[diveplane]

Originally Posted by Sternjaeger II

this is already being discussed in the Lounge, but anyway check this pic guys

http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-201_162-...=page;previous

the pilot is not in view, that's never a good sign.. considering the steep angle at which he's coming down, it's likely he's leaning on the stick.

already posted this up

[bongodriver]

Exactly!.....it is pure speculation at this time......sadly the aftermath looks like it is going to give little information as the impact seems to have left very little to examine....but I noticed something particularily stange with the image, the tailwheel is in the extended position, normally this is fully retracted, that immediately makes me suspect mechanical failure, the fact the pilot is not visible is extremely tenuous evidence, the cockpit is highly modified and the pilot is barely visible under normal circumstances.

[Sternjaeger II]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

Exactly!.....it is pure speculation at this time......sadly the aftermath looks like it is going to give little information as the impact seems to have left very little to examine....but I noticed something particularily stange with the image, the tailwheel is in the extended position, normally this is fully retracted, that immediately makes me suspect mechanical failure, the fact the pilot is not visible is extremely tenuous evidence, the cockpit is highly modified and the pilot is barely visible under normal circumstances.

yeah, noticed the tailwheel too. The servo is hydraulic and connected to the main landing gear hydraulic line. Another wild guess of mine could be that he accidentally hit the emergency gear release, but the main gears didn't open cos he's pitching down and diving.

You'd still be able to see the head Bongo, these guys are well strapped in.

[ATAG_Snapper]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

Can you provide evidence that backs this up? or is it just an oppinion, if the reasons for the accident turns out to be not pilot error but a serious mechanical failure can you explain how age is relevant?

you 'may' have a point with the crowd line proximity, but then what choices are we left with? ban air shows? put the crowd so far away that the whole point is defeated......as tragic as the event is, if things get regulated out of existense because a few people die once in a blue moon then there is practically no point to life because it would be so damned boring, let's all live in protected bubbles where no harm can ever come to us.

+1