The worst part of this disaster was the plane impacting very close to the front of the spectator stand, and flying crash debris caused a huge number of injuries and unfortunately deaths. 
Jimmy was 80?
That tends to lend credence to my speculation (shared by several others btw) of a blackout caused by G-forces in the turn.
Those Mustangs were designed to be flown by 19 - 25 year old Warriors in top physical condition. Even at 63 I know my vascular system ain’t what it used to be, and it takes some stamina to execute that “pushing” maneuver used to resist the evacuation of blood from the brain in a turn or pull-up.
Unless he was in exceptional condition (and some 80-year olds are), I frankly have to wonder if it was prudent for him to be riding a bull, climbing the Matterhorn, white water rafting down the Colorado River or racing a souped up P-51.
The term “Pushing the envelope” comes to mind.
Obviously, that proverbial envelope got pushed a little too hard this time. And obviously, that is a lot more obvious to us Monday Morning Quarterbacks in remote retrospect.
Don’t be surprised, however, if the FAA has something to say about age or physical stamina limits in future air races.
“That tends to lend credence to my speculation (shared by several others btw) of a blackout caused by G-forces in the turn.”
The early reports mentioned several times that he’d declared “Mayday”. If so, that wouldn’t seem consistent with a blackout, would it?
FAA inspectors on the scene witnessed the crash.
-KTLA News, Los Angeles
The worst part of this disaster was the plane impacting very close to the front of the spectator stand, and flying crash debris caused a huge number of injuries and unfortunately deaths.