Amateur footage from the tragic crash at the 2011 Reno Air Race.
On Friday September 16, veteran pilot Jimmy Leeward crashed his P-51 Mustang 'Galloping Ghost' near the grandstands while competing in the unlimited category at this year's Reno Air Race in Nevada.
The crash claimed the life of Leeward as well as nine spectactors on the ground, with many more still in a critical condition in hospital. While numerous pilots have sadly lost their lives while competing in the event over the years, this is the first incident involving spectator casualties.
While US authorities have only just begun the long, and undoubtedly gruesome, task of investigating how and why the accident happened, it's been suggested that, as bad as it was, it could've been a lot worse had Leeward not been able to manoeuvre his aircraft away from the actual grandstands in the split seconds before crashing.
We hereby offer our condolences and deepest of sympathies to any readers who may have been involved in this tragedy, or who had friends, family or colleagues who may have been involved. Our thoughts are with you and yours.
Do you believe you have a theory, or have heard somebody put forward a theory, to explain just what happened to Leeward and his Mustang to cause this accident? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
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