Crash at the Reno Air Race

[Structo]

Some of you might have saw this on the news.
There was a terrible crash of a P-51 Mustang into the audience at the Reno Air Race yesterday.
The plane pulled out from the race and then inverted, diving straight down into the tarmac.
Last night they said two were deceased and about 55 injured, 23 critically.
They gave the pilot some credit for trying to miss the main grand stands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-09s_eleMs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs98xkTIBQU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QZnW-YNu0A

[Bob-I]

I read that the ntsb saw a control surface on the tail come loose in one picture.

[Structo]

Yes, the trim tab on the left elevator broke off in flight.
The trim tabs allow the pilot to adjust for level flight at top speed.
Experts say that may explain why he all of a sudden took off almost straight up.
It may have jammed up elevator and caused the plane to invert then nose dive.
They credit the pilot because he tried to miss the main grand stands but came down on the box seating area.
He tried like hell to miss the spectators but had little control of the plane by that time.
Things happen very quickly at 500 mph.
Apparently his wife and family where in that area and saw the whole thing.

This video is high definition and you can clearly see the pilots red parachute at 06 seconds.
Very strange that he bounced from the crash up in the air only to land a ways from the impact.

Now they are saying nine dead including Jimmy Leeward the pilot.

Just one of those freak accidents. First time spectators have been injured or killed at this air race.

Many are concerned that this may result in the banning of this air race.

The Reno air race is the only one in the USA.