Wing walker, pilot die in crash at Ohio air show

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By DAN SEWELL and ASHLEY THOMAS

CINCINNATI (AP) - A plane carrying a wing walker crashed at an air show and exploded into flames Saturday, killing the pilot and stunt walker, authorities said.

The crash of the 450 HP Stearman happened at around 12:45 p.m. at the Vectren Air Show near Dayton in front of thousands of horrified spectators. No one else was hurt.

A video posted on WHIO-TV shows the plane turn upside-down as the performer sits on top of the wing. The plane then tilts and crashes to the ground, erupting into flames as spectators screamed.

Ian Hoyt, an aviation photographer and licensed pilot from Findlay, was at the show with his girlfriend. He told The Associated Press he was taking photos as the plane passed by and had just raised his camera to take another shot.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130623/DA734NLG0.html

---

A stunt plane loses control as a wing walker performs at the Vectren Air Show just before crashing, Saturday, June 22, 2013, in Dayton, Ohio. The crash killed the pilot and the stunt walker instantly, authorities said. (AP Photo/Thanh V Tran)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My god, how horrifying...

What a terrifying way to die...

These accidents always upset me so much. It must be the worst thing for the families and for those who witness them.

[BlueJazz]

2. What peggy said

[PD Turk]

3. Video of the crash. WARNING , GRAPHIC

WARNING, GRAPHIC VIDEO

[tblue]

4. And no one saw that coming.

I am so sorry for the deceased and their families, and the witnesses. That is such a dangerous sport, you have to know going in that every time you do it, there's a good chance you won't survive. Very sad and unnecessary too, I'm afraid.

[lancer78]

5. Its like that idiot

that is going to walk a wire across the grand canyon tomorrow night live on discovery channel. No tether, no net. What is really sad is that he has 3 kids and a wife.

[silvershadow]

6. He is an idiot. I won't be watching (not because I don't want to, but because

I gave up cable tv on Friday so I could put a few less $ in right-wingers pockets).

[undeterred]

7. I don't have cable tv so I won't be watching

but I did watch him cross Niagra Falls. And I don't think he will have any trouble crossing the Grand Canyon. He's very good at what he does.

[av8rdave]

9. It was definitely not good being a witness

It's a hazard of attending any high risk sport (not to even mention the risk for the participants).

This was a well experienced crew that had performed this routine many times over the years. This tragedy just reminds us that even the pros can ball it up.

This wasn't the routine I came to the show to see, but I was watching closely. I'm a huge fan of that particular airplane.

Obviously, it was a terrible thing that turns my stomach into concrete every time it replays in my head. I had witnessed aircraft accidents/loss of life while in the military. You would think one would get hardened to it, but it actually becomes more distressing with every one you see.

[av8rdave]

8. I was there. It was horrific.

I have been to many airshows over the years, and took my kids to some when they were young.

I'm very thankful I never had to console or comfort a child after seeing something like this.

My bride of 6 months was with me. Unlike me, she's never spent much time around aviation. I feel sick that she saw it.

Many, many airshows take place without incident around the world every year. However, some of the flying is high risk, and the odds will catch up with people. Thankfully, there have been recent rules and procedures put into place to keep the flight paths away from spectators, and nobody else was hurt on Saturday.

Having seen the crash up close and personal, I am certain the two killed never felt a thing. The part that still shatters the nerves is the thought of all the other lives that were permanently altered in that split second.

Condolences to the all the friends and loved ones.

[premium]

10. I was in Indian Springs, NV.,

just across the street from Creech AFB, which, at the time, was known as Indian Springs AFB, at a gas station in Sept. of 1982, watching the Thunderbirds practice when all four T-38 jets crashed into the ground, it was a horrifying sight and one I'll never forget.

[av8rdave]

11. I remember that well

I was instructing flying at Williams AFB near Phoenix when the news came in. I had seen the performances many times.

What a terrible thing to see. Wish there was a way to erase it from the mind.

[TeeYiYi]

12. Wow...

Was it ever determined what caused all 4 jets to crash at the same time?

TYY

[premium]

13. Yeah,

when flying in formation, the lead pilot is the only one watching in front of them, the rest are trained to watch the lead aircraft and follow it's every move, the subsequent investigation determined that the lead aircraft's stabilizer malfunctioned as they were approaching the ground and he flew straight into the ground with the other 3 aircraft following behind.
From my vantage point, it looked like all 4 hit the ground simultaneously and looked like a napalm strike, like what I used to see when I was in Vietnam.

This was the view of the crash myself and several other people had.

[TeeYiYi]

14. I'm so sorry you saw that.

Jayzuss...like sheep over a cliff. Terrible.

TYY

[premium]

16. Thank you,

it's something that really never leaves your mind, if I think about that day, I can still see it clearly.
The lead pilot saw what was coming, but the other 3 probably never knew what happened, it was instantaneous, they hit the ground at appox. 400 mph.