Information released by the Reno Air Race Association (RARA) late Friday night confirms that P-51 race number 177, “Galloping Ghost”, with owner Jimmy Leeward at the controls, impacted the box seating area in front of the grandstands at 4:20 pm during Unlimited Class qualifying.
The scene was described as one of “mass casualties.” Reports of up to 75 injured, many critical, three fatalities, including the pilot.
Jimmy Leeward, a veteran pilot of over 120 such races, was only able to avoid the main Grandstand by instinct and split seconds, potentially sparing the lives of thousands.
Victims were transported by any means available including a Viet Nam era helicopter, which had been flown in for display, performing its’ Medevac role as it had so many years earlier on the battlefield.
The National Transportation Safety Board has begun its investigation as to what made the clipped-wing classic modified racer, with a competitive history dating back to the Cleveland Air Races of the late 1940’s, suddenly pull up, roll over, and auger-in to the VIP section at the edge of the ramp.
The Races have been canceled.
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