Name: Pilots Racing in WWII-Era Planes Die in Midair Collision Shortly After 1st–2nd Finish in Nevada
Uploaded: 2023-09-19T08:46:23.000Z
Description: RENO, Nev.—Two veteran California pilots were killed over the weekend when their World War II-era planes collided in midair while preparing to land just after finishing first and second in a title race at the National Championship Air Races north of Reno.

Dave Martin is NTD's Senior Sports Reporter and sports analyst. He also hosts "Data Hub" segments during NTD's special election coverage, "The Nation Decides."

Dave Martin

NTD Plus

News

News with integrity, from the United States and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

19-Year Old Andreeva Wins French Open, Youngest Since 1992

Daniel Monaghan is a reporter for NTD News covering culture, social issues, and education. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government.

Daniel Monaghan

White House Week in Review (June 6): US Brokers Israel–Lebanon Ceasefire

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

Hegseth Honors D-Day Veterans in France

Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for NTD. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017 and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding, or at home meditating—which helps fuel his active lifestyle.

Rudy Blalock

World News

Asia &amp; Pacific

Missing US Student Found Dead in Japan, Family Says

Jason Perry is an Army veteran and NTD's national security correspondent. Jason primarily covers border security, national defense, foreign wars, and veterans' issues.

Jason Perry

Anthropic: Humans Could Soon Lose Control Over AI

David Lam is a national correspondent based in California and a part-time anchor for "NTD Tonight." Before joining NTD he was a financial analyst.

David Lam

California Prepares to Host FIFA World Cup Matches

Sam Wang is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Sam covers politics on Capitol Hill, and U.S.-China relations. 

Sam Wang

Citizens Weigh Newly Painted Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

D-day Was ‘The Most Complex Mission in Modern Military History’: Retired Navy SEAL

Jason Blair is a national correspondent for NTD News based in California. 

Jason Blair

48 Charged in Texas Over Major Drug Trafficking Operation

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

Middle East

Iran

US Military Says It Shot Down Iranian Missiles, Drones Launched Toward Gulf Allies, Strait of Hormuz

Chris Beers is an NTD News anchor and political correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Chris co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Chris Beers

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 7)

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 6)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 5)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 4)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 3)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 2)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (June 1)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 31)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 29)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 28)

US News

State News

California

More Than 17,000 Under Evacuation Orders as Southern California Wildfire Threatens Homes

40,000 Ordered to Evacuate as Chemical Tank Leaks, Threatens Explosion in California

Video of US Fighter Jet Shooting Down UFO Over Lake Huron Emerges in New Pentagon Files

Mary Man is a writer for NTD. She has traveled around the world covering China, international news, and arts and culture.

Mary Man

China News

Epoch Times Obtains Over 2,000 Unseen Tiananmen Square Photos on 37th Anniversary of the June 4th Massacre

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Embassy in Israel Issues Travel Alert for Much of Middle East

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

Sports News

Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Champion, Dies at 41

Haika Mrema

Medical Plane Crash in New Mexico Mountains Kills 4, Sparks Wildfire

California Mayor Resigns, Will Plead Guilty to Acting as Chinese Agent

Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.

Jill McLaughlin

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

Scott Pelley Fired by ’60 Minutes’ After Clash With Management

RENO, Nev.—Two veteran California pilots were killed over the weekend when their World War II-era planes collided in midair while preparing to land just after finishing first and second in a title race at the National Championship Air Races north of Reno.

Officials identified the victims of Sunday's crash as Chris Rushing of Thousand Oaks and Nick Macy, 67, of Tulelake.

Race officials said they were cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local authorities to determine the cause of the crash.

The crash marred the 59th and final year of the National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport. The deaths brought the number of pilots or performers who have died at the Reno races to 24 since the event began in 1964, along with 10 spectators who died during a crash on the edge of the grandstand in 2011.

“It’s a particularly poignant end to our final flag in Reno,” Reno Air Racing Association CEO Fred Telling told the Reno Gazette-Journal Sunday night. “But the racing family will stay together and race again somewhere.”

Organizers announced last year that the event has to find a new location because of increased development around the airport and other concerns.

Those concerns included rising insurance costs since 2011, when a highly modified North American P-51D Mustang racing aircraft crashed into spectators while competing at the Reno Air Races that September, killing former Hollywood stunt pilot Jimmy Leeward and 10 people on the ground.

It was one of the deadliest air show disasters in U.S. history. Another 70 people were seriously injured.

Last year, pilot Aaron Hogue, 61, of Henderson, Nevada, died in a crash during the September competition just north of Reno. Two months later at a Dallas air show, all six people aboard two vintage aircraft were killed when a P-63 Kingcobra fighter plane collided with a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber.

On Sunday, Mr. Rushing had just won the T-6 Gold race at an average speed of 234 mph (376 kph) in his plane named Baron's Revenge and Macy had finished second about 15 seconds behind him in his Six-Cat. Both were preparing to land when the two single-engine planes “collided in midair," the FAA said.

Mr. Telling told the Reno newspaper, “It wasn't a racing accident.”

“It was indeed a post-race landing accident,” he said. “We all are curious of how this came to pass.”

The FAA said the NTSB would take the lead in the investigation. The NTSB didn't immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

Mr. Telling described Mr. Rushing and Mr. Macy as skilled, expert pilots. Mr. Rushing was the defending champion in the race. Mr. Macy had won it six times over the years. Both their planes, which had been used to train pilots in World War II, were destroyed when they crashed in the high desert outside the race course about 5 miles east of the California line.

Mr. Rushing was dedicated to promoting the history of the World War II-era AT-6 Texan trainer plane as head of a nonprofit organization in Van Nuys, California, The Orange County Register reported.

Mr. Telling said at least six communities have filed to host the 2025 national championship. He did not disclose the locations. The racing association hopes to announce a new location in early 2024, it said in a Facebook post Monday afternoon.

“While there are inherent risks with any motorsport, we work diligently year around to mitigate these risks and safety is our foremost priority," the association said. "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 ... through both the good and troubling times.”

Latest

crash

Videos

04_Top Stories

nevada

planes

Latest Clips

races

reno

Christina Corona is a California-based reporter for NTD News. She primarily covers California news, politics, and entertainment.  

Christina Corona

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.