A P-51 Mustang fighter smashed into the ground during the annual Reno Air Races. Every year, thousands of fans flock to Reno, much like NASCAR, to witness the daring plane races at speeds of more than 500 miles per hour. But yesterday, thousands watched in horror during a Reno Air Races Crash, when a P-51 Mustang pitched upward, rolled and plunged nose-first into a crowd of spectators.
Reno Air Races Crash
Authorities say it appears a mechanical failure with the P-51 Mustang was to blame. Some credit the pilot with preventing the crash from being far more deadly.
AP photo/Grass Valley Union, Tim O’Brien
The pilot was 74 year old Jimmy Leeward, of Ocala, Fla., a veteran racer and Hollywood stuntman. He died on impact.
Leeward, the owner of the Leeward Air Ranch Racing Team, was a well-known racing pilot. His website says he has flown more than 120 races and served as a stunt pilot for numerous movies, including Amelia, Cloud Dancer, The Tuskegee Airmen, and Dragonfly.
Leeward’s P-51 Mustang fighter plane was named the “Galloping Ghost”.
Reno Air Races Crash
Race officials said 54 people had been injured in the crash. Reno Air Races President Mike Houghton said he did not know how many people were in critical condition and would not disclose how many had died. “We are all devastated by this tragedy,” he said.
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