A fatal accident during the Jet Gold Race at the 2022 Reno Air Races suspended all operations at the races Sunday, Sept. 18.
“We can confirm that during the Jet Gold Race on the third lap there was a fatal incident at Outer Pylon 5 today,” Reno Air Race officials said on the association’s Facebook page.
“All other pilots landed safely and race operations for 2022 have been suspended,” the post continued. “We express our deepest sympathies to the pilot’s family and friends as well as racers and race fans who make up our September family.”
The Aero L-29 Delfín crashed behind a residential area in Reno about 3:45 p.m., according to FAA officials.
While Reno Air Race officials did not release the name of the pilot, other news outlets have identified him as Aaron Hogue.
The NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash.
The 2022 races faced an uncertain start with many heats canceled because of a concern about air quality due to smoke from wildfires impacting visibility at Reno-Stead Airport (KRTS).
On Saturday, Sept. 17, officials posted a weather update: “While air quality continues to be a concern, it is is considerably better at Stead Field than areas further south. The races are definitely on! We are able to race intermittently as visibility allows, and the current trend shows possible improvement over today and tomorrow.”