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NTSB: Pilot overwhelmed by g-forces in Reno crash
Washington (CNN) -- The pilot of the P-51 Mustang that crashed at the Reno Air Races last September experienced overwhelming g-forces at the outset of the incident, and likely was incapacitated almost instantly, the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday. (www.cnn.com) Altro...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Planes don't have ACCELERATORS... did they mean it exceeded the limit of the plane's ACCELEROMETER???
I was in box A29 and will try to go again this year. I outlined below the incident as I recall where a failure at the worst place out of the valley of speed with a sharp pylon turn, most demanding for both pilot and aircraft were exasperated in turbulent air. I believe the NTSB recommendations will improve safety while maintaining the thrill for fans as they witnessing the fastest race.
I am in agreement with all of these statements, however I do agree most with James Wallace second statement ! Either accept the risk or stay at home, and if U do go don't try to blame it on to someone else. I am a current pilot, and retired member of Aeronautics Commission so I have seen a few air shows.
jack: I agree with James too. It's just all a part of the dumbing down of America. There was a beautiful, panoramic vista off a mountainside, not far from my home in Western AR. It is now spoiled by a 4' chainlink fence and signs that say "WARNING, CLIFF, STAY BACK". Duh, as in people can't see
I have said this before in this and other blogs but nobody not even among the hard core race pilots, officials, aficionados in general people has come forward to demonstrate that all these extreme modifications (clipping wings, etc.) were first proved to be OK through theoretical structural calculations on the ground and that furthermore wind tunnel testing proved them to be OK too. I hereby submit again that all these modifications have been done on blind faith that the modified aircraft are going to fly safely and of course races won.
When you operate equipment at the extreme end of it's capacity and yours (be it airplane, boat, car, etc) there will be failures of equipment or operator. That means there will be crashes and consequences. That is "racing" or demonstration at the ultimate. Anything less is just not exciting. Being safety conscious, yes; being safe, no.