P-51A Crash at Oshkosh on Friday - One killed

Aeronews ^

[CatholicEagle]

I’m conflicted on grounding the warbirds though you make a good point. Some of it’s selfish—man I love seeing those things fly and it brings history out of the history books for the young people, but I shudder to think of depleting the fleet of these fabulous aircraft..

[ajdcjd]

This was not an original rebuilt. It was a homebuilt replica.

Landing in formation is challenging to say the least. But I will reserve judgement, despite watching the video, until all of the facts are known. I certainly feel for his family.

[flightmechanic]

the warbird community has lost a great man. for those who don’t know. gerry beck ,fabricates nearly complete p-51’s from scratch. using some original parts, so its a restoration NOT a replica.he frabricated the A model from paterns he made from the C model he restored for the CAF. see-www.redtail.org. from the video it looks like the d model got slow and he was fast. i knew gerry personally and there wasn,t a safer more carefull warbird driver.

[Hunble]

The woman interviewed nailed it.

Shit does happen, no matter who you are.

[Hunble]

I also knew this pilot personally, and what happened, was the Will of God.

Last September, I was also in an airplane crash which crushed my spine. It took me months before I could even walk again. Last May, I was able to fly once again, and even I was amazed.

What did I do wrong that caused that crash? After almost a year, I still have no idea of what I could have done to prevent that crash.

Sometimes, God is simply teaching you a lesson.

[EDINVA]

“I hope you will all remember him in your prayers as well.”

Will also hold both of you as witnesses to this tragic event in my prayers. How sad for Mr. LeRoy, his famiy, friends and fans. TO have seen the crash has to be quite traumatic for you and all others who were there.

[Sundancer]

As a former South African Air Force pilot who was trained in 50’ operational low flying , landing at night in headlight beams, close formation flying and some formation aerobatics, we practiced formation take offs but formation landings were discontinued around 1973, if memory serves, due to the risk outweighing the benefits. Instead the formation would come low overhead, break and do separate patterns and landings.

Most people are not situated at the undershoot area and threshold so they don’t see the art and skill required. The loss to the exhibition at air shows was minimal.