Two pilots were killed in a collision during air racing in Reno
We start with breaking news from Reno, Nevada. Two pilots are dead after two planes crashed during the National Championship Air Show in Reno. Thank you for joining us at 5:00 p.m. I’m BRITTANY HOPE. AND I’M ANDREA FLORES. This crash occurs on the very last day of the final year of competition. The crash occurred around 215 this afternoon. AND OFFICIALS SAY NICK MACY AND CHRIS RUSHING WERE THE PILOTS WHO DIED IN THE ACCIDENT. BOTH PLANES WERE LANDING WHEN THE CRASHED. ALL RACING OPERATIONS ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED. RENO AIR RACING ASSOCIATION SAYS it is working with the NTSB and FAA to determine the cause of the crash. THE RENO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AIR RACES HAVE A HISTORY OF FATAL ACCIDENTS. In 2014, a retired San Jose pilot died because a wing malfunctioned. And in 2011, 11 people died and another 70 people were seriously injured when a plane crashed into the city
Two pilots were killed in a collision at the National Championship Air Races and Air Show
Updated: September 18, 2023, 12:23 a.m. EDT
Two pilots died when their planes collided Sunday during the National Championship Air Races and Air Show in Reno, Nevada, event organizers said: “This afternoon at approximately 2:15 p.m., at the end of the T-6 Gold “During landing, two aircraft collided and both pilots were confirmed deceased,” the Reno Air Racing Association said in a statement posted on Facebook. The identities of the pilots were not revealed. Organization leaders worked to notify next of kin “Ensure families receive our full support,” the statement said. No other injuries were reported, it said. “Further information will be released as it becomes available. All racing operations are currently suspended,” the statement from The National Transportation said. The Safety Board said in a statement sent to CNN that it was investigating the cause of the crash. The agency leading the investigation identified the two planes as a North American T-6G and a North American AT-6B and said they had just finished the race. “The wreckage of each aircraft came to rest half a mile away from each other,” the NTSB said, adding that the wreckage would be taken to an off-site facility for analysis. Event organizers said they would work with the NTSB, the Federal Aviation Administration and “all local authorities to determine the cause of the accident and ensure that all of our pilots, spectators and volunteers receive the support they need during this time.” The event, which has been held for more than five decades, prides itself on being an “institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world.” according to its website. According to the website, the event has attracted more than a million spectators over the past decade and “generated more than $750 million” to the regional economy.
Two pilots were killed when their planes collided Sunday during the National Championship Air Races and Air Show in Reno, Nevada, event organizers said.
“This afternoon at approximately 2:15 p.m., at the end of the T-6 Gold race, two aircraft collided upon landing and both pilots were confirmed deceased,” the Reno Air Racing Association said in a statement posted on Facebook .
The identities of the pilots were not revealed.
The organization’s leaders are working to inform next of kin and “ensure that families receive our full support,” the statement continued.
No other injuries were reported, it said.
“Further information will be released as it becomes available. All racing operations are currently suspended,” it said.
The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement sent to CNN that it was investigating the cause of the crash. The agency leading the investigation identified the two planes as a North American T-6G and a North American AT-6B and said they had just completed the race.
“The wreckage of each aircraft came to rest half a mile apart,” the NTSB said, adding that the wreckage would be taken to an off-site facility for analysis.
Organizers said they would work with the NTSB, the Federal Aviation Administration and “all local authorities to determine the cause of the accident and ensure that all of our pilots, spectators and volunteers receive the necessary support during this time.”
The event, which has been held for more than five decades, prides itself on being an “institution for Northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world,” according to its website. According to the website, the event has attracted more than a million spectators over the past decade and “generated more than $750 million” to the regional economy.
