In the days before the tragic accident that ended the 2023 Reno Air Races, General Aviation News‘ Fred Johnsen was on hand to catch all the action at the last-ever races held in Reno.
He’s put together videos from the action on Thursday, Sept. 14, and Friday, Sept. 15.
Two days later during the Sunday race program a collision took the lives of two T-6 pilots.
National Championship Air Races spokesperson Molly Ellery released information about the tragic crash:
“On Sunday afternoon, around 2:15 p.m., veteran pilots of the T-6 class, Nick Macy and Chris Rushing, passed after the T-6 Gold race had ended. Both individuals were longtime participants and staunch supporters of the event and we are heartbroken over this loss.
“While the incident happened just outside of the race course, it did not involve any civilians or residential buildings. As is always the case, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are handling the investigation into the crash but we do know that this was not related to racing and happened in the course of landing. Though the families of both pilots wanted us to continue racing and the FAA and NTSB had cleared us to continue, we made the decision to cancel the rest of the event out of an abundance of caution and respect for all of our racers and families.
“While there are inherent risks with any motorsport, we work diligently year around to mitigate these risks and safety is our foremost priority. Despite the sad way we have ended our storied tenure in northern Nevada, we want to express our appreciation to the countless fans and volunteers who have supported the event over the years. With the encouragement of our pilots, volunteers and entire air race family and the encouragement of both of these two pilots’ families, we will continue to work to identify a new location for the National Championship Air Races and hope to make that announcement in early 2024.”
We need to protect the races and bring them back in 2024 bigger and better with, if possible, an incease in all things safety.
As a Canadian and a Charter member of the Checkered flag club and a supporter for 33 years I want to express my feeling of loss on the demise of the Races and want to say how they have over the years made my life a lot better through the friends I have made. I also want to thank the Reno race folk for 33 years of fun and enjoyment.