The National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada witnessed a tragic event when two aircraft collided while attempting to land. The incident was confirmed by the Reno Air Racing Association (RARA), and led to the deaths of the two pilots aboard, identified as Nick Macy and Chris Rushing.
Chair of RARA and leader of the T-6 Class, Fred Telling, commented on the accident. He acknowledged that both pilots were integral members of the National Championship Air Race community. Expressing his sorrow, he extended his condolences to the bereaved families, fans, and spectators.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided the timeline of the event, stating that the collision occurred at approximately 2:45 pm on Sunday, September 17. The aircraft involved were a single-engine North American T-6 G and a single-engine North American AT-6B. No passengers were present in the aircraft; only the two pilots were on board.
Elaborating on the accident, a post by RARA on Facebook clarified that the collision occurred at the conclusion of the T-6 Gold race. They further confirmed the safety of all civilians, with no reported injuries on the ground.
Safety during such events is a priority for RARA. They highlighted their year-round dedication to fostering a safe environment for the races. This includes collaborating with agencies such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA to ascertain the factors leading to the collision.
The incident is under investigation by both the FAA and the NTSB.
