Reno Air Race disaster

[MSHappyCampers]

When I saw on the news about the P51 Mustang that crashed at the Reno Air Races, killing 9 and injuring dozens, I couldn't help but think just how lucky that crowd was! If that plane had exploded on impact the crowd would have been showered with burning gasoline and there's no telling how many would have been killed! Thank God that didn't happen!

[RickO]

A horrible tragedy. Sometimes these things happen and it's hard to believe that more people aren't killed. Reminds me of the '89 earthquake in San Francisco during the world series. The top deck of the freeway collapsed on to the lower deck in Oakland at rush hour and somehow "only" about 40 or 50 people were killed.

Rick

[Peacekeeper6]

I live in Sparks, which is right next to Reno.

We go to the Races every year on Saturday. In fact, it's one of my favorite events of the year. (Lucky for us, we weren't there when the crash happened).

That tragedy has been the talk ALL week. In fact, yesterday's Sunday paper's front page and Section A was devoted to it.

The future of the Races is up in the air. There's talk of cancelling all together. In my opinion, if it's your time to check out, it's your time to check out. There's inherent risk in EVERYTHING; it's your job to weigh out those risks and determine if it's a risk worth taking.

I certainly hope that they keep Reno Air Races going. Although I certainly understand from some people who were at the bloody, chaotic scene that they would think otherwise....

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO A horrible tragedy. Sometimes these things happen and it's hard to believe that more people aren't killed. Reminds me of the '89 earthquake in San Francisco during the world series. The top deck of the freeway collapsed on to the lower deck in Oakland at rush hour and somehow "only" about 40 or 50 people were killed. Rick

As a transportation engineer I saw that picture of the collapsed deck and had to sit down when I thought of how many would have been killed. My wife didn't understand my concern till I explained it to her. Thankfully most survived!

As to the plane crash, it's good the plane came straight in, can you imagine how much worse it would have been if the plane had skidded into and through the grandstands?

[Route 66]

I hope they continue in the future.

[Bill Adams]

The footage shown this AM made it clear the pilot was fighting to get away from the crowd all the way in and he almost made it. This does not less the tragedy and my heart goes out to all those effected but one man may well have saved dozens (hundreds) of lives when the failure occurred. He had to know he had no chance at all.
We were there a few years back and the course appears to me to be a safe one. I was actually disappointed that the planes were so far away. I understand better now why it's setup the way it is. I also hope the races will continue just as air shows should be allowed to continue despite the occasional mishap (Sorry, that's not the right word as it seems to make light of the issue and no one would want to do that, but hopefully I will be understood).