Official: Reno air race crash 'mass casualty situation'

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

RENO, Nev. (AP) – A plane plunged into the stands at an air race event in Reno in what an official described as a "mass casualty situation."

It wasn't immediately known how many people were killed. But video of the crash showed a horrific scene of bodies and wreckage at the front of the stands.

Mike Draper, a spokesman for the air races, told The Associated Press that Jimmy Leeward was the pilot of the P-51 Mustang that crashed into the box seat area at the front of the grandstand about 4:30 p.m. He said he did not have any information on the number of injured.

The National Championship Air Races draws thousands of people every year in September to watch various military and civilian planes race.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-09-16/plane-crash-Reno/50436272/1

[slim 1,530]

I've been to a few air shows in my day (not to mention all those years in the AF) and each time I've stood there in awe... while simultaneously puckering up every time they flew by.

[Pooky 3,827]

I've been to the Reno Air Races. Nothing else like it in the world. The sights and sounds of the Gold class racers are incredible, seeing WWII era planes doing anything up to 480 mph at 50 feet above the deck. It's tough on the planes and really tough on the pilots, racing that fast, that low.

Questions is, why was an 80 year-old piloting one of them?

My thoughts are with the casualties and their families.

[Ban Hammer 13,498]

Questions is, why was an 80 year-old piloting one of them?

maybe he flew the same plane in the war?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

maybe he flew the same plane in the war?

I have run into a few of those pilots that frequent those races, and they are are all old.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Air shows are best watched at home on the TV.

[Pooky 3,827]

Air shows are best watched at home on the TV.

This wasn't an air show, it was a race.

Aircraft enthusiasts of all ages will always go to events to see the planes flying. Nothing beats being there to see them fly.

Air shows are best watched at home on the TV.

This wasn't an air show, it was a race.

Aircraft enthusiasts of all ages will always go to events to see the planes flying. Nothing beats being there to see them fly.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Air shows are best watched at home on the TV.

Where's your sense of adventure? Air shows at home, football games at home.

[MyLittlePony 340]

Where's your sense of adventure? Air shows at home, football games at home.

He is a wimp i gone to three air shows this year so far next month will be the SF Fleet Week.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

He is a wimp i gone to three air shows this year so far next month will be the SF Fleet Week.

You're lucky, you have a lot in your area. Out here we don't get many at all. I'd love to see the F-22 and B-2.

[Ban Hammer 13,498]

You're lucky, you have a lot in your area. Out here we don't get many at all. I'd love to see the F-22 and B-2.

we have the b-2 flying around here at odd times, they are at an air base in missouri.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

You're lucky, you have a lot in your area. Out here we don't get many at all. I'd love to see the F-22 and B-2.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

we have the b-2 flying around here at odd times, they are at an air base in missouri.

I remember reading that they are based in Missouri. I think they made a non stop bombing run to Iraq and back during the early days of the war.

[MyLittlePony 340]

You're lucky, you have a lot in your area. Out here we don't get many at all. I'd love to see the F-22 and B-2.

I watched the F-22 demo last year and year before no F-22 this year in my area suck for me lol. i watched the B-2 this year and last year ThunderBirds and all sorts of cool stuff F-18 and F-15 demos. U2 cool to see and loud too.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

we have the b-2 flying around here at odd times, they are at an air base in missouri.

We get free air shows near daily here thanks to Whidbey NAS. Some complain, personally I love it!