Posted on 09/20/2011 12:05:47 PM PDT by ColdOne
Newly released photographs of the deadly Nevada air racing disaster suggest the pilot in the crash may have become dislodged in the cockpit as a result of a broken seat, an aviation mechanic tells Fox News.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
>>Do you know how many times that plane changed hands from the time it was made? It was deemed surplus in 1946. It was sold. And sold again. And again. And modified. And and and. If you would like to see artifacts, there are tons of them in Tucson, AZ at the Air and Space Museum.<<
I stand by what I said. I know it belonged to him. I just think it was a complete waste.
I never said he didn’t have the right to do it.
On Saturday during the weekend “Fox & Friends” Clayton had a phone conversation on the air with his father-in-law who was in the stands when this happened—the plane was coming straight at their part of the stands but the pilot almost managed to reach the tarmac before crashing. His maneuvering during the last several seconds probably meant that the death toll was much less than it would have been otherwise.
You can find a lot of outstanding, unbelievable pics out there that will fool you. These do look like promotional photos pulled out of the PR catalog.
But, to have such clear images taken during the extremely brief time immediately before this horrendous accident took place giving us so much more information about the situation......thats what smacks me.
>>WOW! That’s harsh! Are you from the control brigade? <<
And yeah, I guess you’re right. That WAS harsh. :-/
Backing off now.
It’s doesn’t bother me because I didn’t say it.
Chris Karamesines from Chicago is still driving Top Fuel dragsters. He is still competing. I think he is now almost 79. He still qualifies against the young ‘uns, also. To the best of my recollection, he has never had an accident of any consequence.
It's steam.
The stock radiator & cooling system was replaced with a total-loss evaporative cooling system.
It saves weight and reduces aerodynamic drag.
“historical treasures for “stunts. That’s not what they were made for.”
Um, yes, they were.
“He shouldn’t of driving that plane at 74 yrs old...his reactions are slow...”
You measured them? Didn’t think so.
My flight buddy is 74. He has the eye sight anyone would admire and the reactions faster than a cat on catnip. I’d take him over some punkassed sluggish junk-food eating vidiot knowitall any day.
It has been identified as the moment before the crash. It has also been the reason why so many people have questioned why the rear wheel is deployed.
Sad day for aviation. I hope the air races continue, though.
wow...that photo is pretty telling. Hydraulics failure too (with that wheel exposed)? Was this pic just before the crash?
Amen, Blucher. Maybe if they can't get insurance now, they can have spectators sign waivers. I'd sign one. We had a couple of friends at that race (my sweetz would have been there with them except for scheduling conflicts). Both are pilots and current and former professionals in the aviation industry. One of them wrote that they saw the propeller heading straight for them in the stands, and accepted the fact that they were going to die. Then something happened (so many variables at work) and the plane ended up crashing into those unfortunate folks below them. They knew they'd had a very close call ... but then, it wasn't the first close call (by a long shot!!!) for either of them.
Me too Finny...like they say the most dangerous thing about flying is the drive to the airport...
You can look at a Corsair on the ground and say, "Wow, what a neat plane." But when you see it and hear it in the air -- well, if your heart doesn't just about burst with pride and admiration, there's something wrong with you.
You can see a homely, squat little Mig sitting on the tarmac and think, "man, that plane is uglier than a mud fence." Then when you see it in the air, it looks like a beautiful little swallow, just plumb gorgeous.
But most of all, it's the SOUND of the planes. Just hearing them is a thrill.
And with respect, for you to say that the plane was a mere "plaything" for Jim Leeward is ... well, I'd like to smack you upside the head for that. That's an insult to the guy's memory and to the whole tradition of air shows, which for many folks, is the first time they see the true excitement and thrill of aviation -- that's what the "playthings" of guys like Leeward accomplish, and that is a good thing. This was an accident, and a tragic one. You speak ill of the dead when you insult Leeward that way.
Never heard that! That's great! {^)
That old coot probably had faster reactions and a cooler head than most guys half his age. I'm pretty sure pilots have to go through regular tests and physicals in order to retain their pilots licenses. It appears that what happened was the trim tab came off, the plane yanked upward, Leeward was suddenly subject to G forces of about 9 or 10 (making him weigh the equivalent of about a ton), it broke the seat, and he was unconscious in any case becasue of the G forces. Then the plane stalled ... and crashed. That's the prevailing theory among the pretty well informed and professional (and amateur) aviation folks I know.
Wouldn't have mattered how old Leeward was. :^(
Thanks.
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