STEAD, Nev. — One person is dead after a single jet racing during the National Championship Air Races crashed Sunday afternoon near Reno, Nevada.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office confirms one person is deceased as a result of a plane crash at the Reno Air Races today.
— Washoe Sheriff (@WashoeSheriff) September 19, 2022
WCSO detectives are currently working the scene with the Medical Examiner’s Office. No names will be released until notification of next of kin.
WARNING: Videos and photos in this story might be graphic and disturbing to readers.
The plane crashed at a high speed on lap 3 of 6 at outer pylon 5 during the Jet Gold Race, igniting a brush fire, according to KRNV.
According to the Reno Gazette Journal, the CEO and chairman of the Reno Air Racing Association, Fred Telling, confirmed the death of the pilot in a briefing Sunday evening.
“(We) express our deepest sympathies to the pilot’s family and friends,” he said.
Telling did not release the pilot’s name.
Update: The FAA will conduct an investigation into the crash that happened in the third lap of the Jet Gold Race. The name of the deceased pilot was not released.
— RGJ.com (@rgj) September 19, 2022
https://t.co/5Zmht0BkzC
The aircraft involved was an Aero L-29 Delfin manufactured by the Czech aircraft company Aero Vodochody according to the NTSB. The military jet trainer was primarily used by the Soviet Air Force during the Cold War.
This is video of the scene sent in from a viewer @KRNV we are headed there now pic.twitter.com/4ucGX0HxHM
— Abigail Vaerewyck (@abbyvaerewyck) September 18, 2022
Spectators near the Reno-Stead Airport captured video of the accident.
BREAKING: A plane crashed at the Reno Air Races just now, sparking a fire. Here’s what we know: https://t.co/LmI5QdAUrY pic.twitter.com/6DfRpmnpIB
— Ben Margiott (@BenMargiott) September 18, 2022
The Reno Air Racing association promptly suspended the 2022 event following the incident.
At this time we are gathering information and confirming details of the incident that happened today during the Jet Gold Race. We can confirm that only one plane was involved. The National Championship Air Races has suspended all operations for the 2022 event.
— Reno Air Racing Association (@RenoAirRaces) September 18, 2022
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have taken over the crash investigation.
NTSB investigating the Sept. 18, crash of an Aero Vodochody L-29 aircraft near Reno, Nevada.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) September 19, 2022
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