defective tail piece

Eleven people total have died as a result of the catastrophic Reno air show crash when a heavily modified vintage WWII fighter plane unexpectedly plummeted into the stands.

The P-51 Mustang was piloted by a 74-year-old experienced stunt pilot, who lost his life. Six other men also passed away, as well as four women. Eight of the fatalities, including the pilot, occurred at the scene, while two more succumbed to their injuries while receiving emergency care. Another fatality was announced Tuesday.

Ages of the deceased range from 22-74, with most of the victims being in their 40s and 50s. Many of the victims were attending the races with family members who sustained severe injuries. Three of the 68 who were initially hospitalized remain in critical condition.

Authorities are still investigating the September 16 incident and reviewing several tapes and images captured as the Galloping Ghost, as the plane was named, went down. While the event organizers and the National Transportation Safety Board continue to look for answers, my experience as a plane accident lawyer has shown me that place crashes require in-depth investigations and the details can often be complex, a frustrating situation for devastated family members. If you or a loved one was injured in the Reno air show accident, the aviation disaster lawyers at Panish Shea and Boyle want you to know that we are here to help you. Call us today to speak with an experienced airplane crash lawyer to talk about your legal options.

As the death toll of the terrible Reno air show accident climbs to 11, investigators are beginning to piece together evidence about what might have caused such a disastrous collision.

Many flying experts believe that the 74-year-old stunt pilot lost consciousness before the plane abruptly crashed into stands at full-throttle. Excessive gravitational forces and speeds of up to 500 miles per hour may have caused the pilot to lose consciousness.

One of the event’s long-time announcers, a pilot himself, knew that the aircraft was in trouble right before the crash, but believed the plane would be corrected.

“He got inverted. That’s not a problem. You just finish the barrel roll. When he stayed inverted, I knew Jimmy had a problem,” said the announcer.

The National Transportation Safety Board is continuing to investigate the accident and has not come to any conclusions yet. A loss of consciousness has been acknowledged as a possibility by an NTSB spokesperson, though they do not have conclusive evidence that points to that situation as of yet.

While investigations continue, I know this can be a wearisome and difficult time for those affected by this tragedy, and victims and their family members are in my prayers. In my experience as a plane accident lawyer, I’ve seen aviation investigations go on for quite some time while family members of victims and those injured wait for answers and closure. If you or someone you love was injured in this horrible accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering you endured, or for the loss of a loved one. The aviation disaster lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle would like to offer our services to those affected by the Reno air show accident. Contact us today to speak with an expert about your aviation accident case.

As the investigation of the deadly Reno air show accident continues, investigators may be closer to pinpointing the cause behind the crash. Photographs and videos taken moments before the WWII fighter plane crashed into the tarmac suggest a missing tail piece may have contributed to the pilot losing control.

The plane, a heavily modified vintage P-51 mustang, was making its third lap, moving from third place to second, when it pitched violently upward, rolled, and then crashed into the stands near the VIP area at what appeared to be full speed.

From pictures, experts believe that a piece called a “trim tab” fell off, which may have caused the plane to travel upward.

Federal officials are still investigating the crash, and attempting to piece together debris to understand what might have occurred, although that is proving difficult.

“Normally when you see an air crash, you see recognizable wreckage. There was nothing, just little bits of metal,” said a Reno pilot who witnessed the crash.

Extreme changes were made to the plane before the race. According to the 74-year-old stunt pilot, his crew shortened the wings and the ailerons to make the plane go faster without adding more weight.

In a podcast, the pilot of the P-51 said, “I know the speed. I know it’ll do the speed. The systems aren’t proven yet. We think they’re going to be OK.”

As investigations continue, I know family members and victims are going through a trying and troublesome time, and the lack of conclusions are frustrating. As an aviation disaster lawyer, I offer my sympathies to the victims and their families, and wish everyone strength during this difficult time. The safety of this event has been questioned by many, as well as the strictness of the regulations in place to prevent disasters such as this one. If you or someone you love was injured in this crash, I advise you to speak with a plane accident lawyer in order to receive a legal consultation. The lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle are available to speak with you at any time about the pain and suffering you have experienced in relation to this accident.