Lawsuit filed in Reno air race crash

AP via San Jose Mercury News ^ | November 1, 2011 | Ken Ritter

[EveningStar]

The family of a Texas man killed when a racing aircraft crashed into spectators in the National Championship Air Races in Reno filed a $25 million lawsuit Tuesday against the pilot's family, a mechanic on the World War II-era aircraft and the Nevada organization that hosted the event.

[Northern Yankee]

I had heard the pilot blacked out from exceeding 9 g’s?

[CarryaBigStick]

While these unlimited racing planes are highly modified, the elevator trim tab that broke and caused the accident is common to all P-51’s, both modified and stock.

[wrench]

Doubtful they are suing the Pilot’s family, rather they are suing the Pilot’s estate.

The FAA is very clear that the pilot is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft, and is responsible for anything that falls from the plane in flight (this would also include the plane).

You can bet there is insurance coverage involved, and everyone with any involvement will be sued and have to prove they were not one of the parties responsible for the accident.

Every mechanic that touched the plane during and since the last annual inspection is usually sued in a big accident, and they have to pony up a lawyer to prove they weren’t responsible.

[Atlas Sneezed]

This will cast a pall over all aviation events, I’m afraid.

---

Yes.

At least the ones in which elderly pilots drive elderly airplanes in races where winning and creating excitement for the spectators sitting under the path of the aircraft is more important than common sense.

I have posted earlier that the dozens of pilots killed, and dozen spectators killed in recent decades, for this small event, would be like 3000 annual NASCAR fatalities. (”Whee! It’s fun to see guys go fast!”)

It’s insane, and a friend whose father was a naval aviator decades ago participated in Reno, and said that it was irresponsible, and he would never go back.

Shut the sucker down until they can ensure that a failure on a vintage aircraft with an elderly pilot won’t wipe our innocent spectators.

This was friggin’ NASA Challenger disaster logic. (”It ain’t crashed before, so let’s keep lowering safety standards until we have a disaster - Duh!”)

[Atlas Sneezed]

There’s been enough accident’s at air shows and races to qualify for fair warning.

---

Where are there air races besides Reno?

[buccaneer81]

This will cast a pall over all aviation events, I'm afraid.

I don't think so. Ramstein in 1987 didn't do that.

Personally, I'd be happy to sign a waiver for me and my family at Dayton and any other airshows we attend.

[buccaneer81]

Where are there air races besides Reno?

Detroit has them. I believe Long Beach does as well.

[noprogs]

You better watch that old surplus.

Some of it has been hauled around for many miles with terrain and vehicles that generate significant vibration. The powder can actually grind itself into something that burns much more rapidly that originally intended!

Furthermore, you have no idea of temperature extremes it has been subjected to over the years, which can cause many problems.

That being said, ammo stored to avoid temperature extremes, moisture and vibration will almost last forever.

It’s sort of like one of my secrets to getting 50 year old engines to run really hard.....DON’T PUT THEM TOGETHER WITH 50 YEAR OLD BOLTS!

Maybe a better analogy to ammunition would be....DON’T USE 50 YEAR OLD OIL (or gasoline) EITHER!

[ExpatGator]

Seriously!? Aircraft are flying within 1 mile performing tricks and/or high G maneuvers and they have a reasonable expectation of safety? Only if they are completely ignorant of physics and history. I grew up around Airshows and Air races. Fans die sometimes when these aircraft crash. It’s life.

[rlmorel]

Personally I am simply sick of the nanny state mentality that is pervasive.

Don't eat this food, it is bad for you.

Don't drink that drink, it might cause cancer.

Don't drive that vehicle, it might be unsafe.

Don't go to that air show because you might get hurt.

Screw all that. I am at the point where I am ready to demand the right to do things, even if they are dangerous, just to poke my finger in the eye of the nanny staters...and I am no risk-taker.

I saw this picture recently and it made me laugh:

This was apparently a video taken on some highway in Russia, these guys are tooling down the road on their trike playing rock music at high volume and high speed, and the people they pass think it is hilarious.

I laughed, then immediately realized: You could never do that in this country. You would be pulled over so quickly it would make your head spin.

No helmets.

No seatbelts.

Speeding.

Disturbing the peace.

Driving to endanger.

Probably vehicle not up to code.

And so on. When I thought of it, I suddenly realized, in some ways, they may have more freedom in Russia than we have here. And I can't tell you how galling that was to even entertain that thought. It was worse than the Russians or the Chinese telling us how to run our economy, and being right in their criticism.

I get the fact that these guys driving a vehicle out of code and distracting people could cause an accident and injure others or themselves. But the regulatory tentacles of our government are winding into the fabric of our very lives, telling us how much trans-fats we can eat, how much water we can flush, or how much electricity our lightbulbs can use.

And soon, what air races we won't be allowed to see. I am just sick of it.

[paul51]

right. People drag themselves and their families to the shows thinking they may all die.

[Taxman]

Actually, it was not an “elderly airplane.” It was a “scratch built” (i.e., a new or “zero time”) aircraft which resembled a P-51. As I understand it, there were no P-51 parts in the airplane.

FYI, the FAA does not allow Airshow aircraft to fly over the spectators. My memory is that spectators are at least a quarter mile south of the racing line — no one is “sitting under the path” of the race.

And, your remark: ”It ain’t crashed before, so let’s keep lowering safety standards until we have a disaster - Duh!” is a most ignorant comment!

You do not have a clue about aircraft or air race safety — the safety standards at Reno are continuously being critiqued, evaluated, and revised to provide as much safety as is humanly possible for the pilots, crewmen and spectators.

You should retract your statements, pal. What happened was a tragedy, no question about it. But your unfounded and ignorant comments are not going to help matters any.

[Revolting cat!]

Couldn’t it be said that they died doing what they liked to do, going to boring air shows expecting exciting accidents, just like, what has been long known, the attendees of even more boring car races?

[ExpatGator]

Your post is inflammatory, insulting and ridiculous. I did not suggest such. What I observed, based on logic and experience is that anyone who sits within the glide path distance of an air race or airshow should be smart enough to understand the risk of doing so. However, some are apparently as oblivious to that inherent danger as you are. Those folks tend to not fare well in life. I wish you luck in yours. You’ll probably need it.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Sorry. No retraction. I’ve been flown over at air SHOWS, but have never dared attend an air RACE, where the fatality rate is so high.

They even fly over residences of unconsenting non-spectators.

If you had seen the fatal video of the Reno crash, you might change your mind.

[moehoward]

The Red Bull series has venues worldwide.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Look at the fatality rates for air “races” compared to NASCAR and skiing, and you’ll whistle a different tune.

[paul51]

so to sum up all your rambling, people that go to air shows should have no expectation of safety? Is that what you are trying to argue? Or are you just trying to argue?

[hattend]

Most of the faster, more modified, planes are Experimental category.

[hattend]

Well, that may be because you don't stand on the field during the game.

Where do you think the box seats are? Out on the runway?

The A row seats are maybe 50 feet (max) in front of the grandstand. The B and C rows are closer. The attraction of the box seat area is you can bring in your own chairs, your own food and drink and have a party with your box and all your neighbors. It's also not as uncomfortable as the stands.

We aren't Sheeple, as another post said. Nobody forces us to buy the tickets. We don't blindly wander out onto the active part of the runway or taxi ramp.

I wonder how many posters here who are knocking the races have even been out to Reno in September...let alone Stead airfield during Race Week?