Updates from Reno...

[AAFO_WSagar]

I'd Like To Thank:

Everyone for being grounded and unless I'm missing reading posts, restrained during a very difficult time for our sport!

Obviously there are a lot questions that need to be answered..

[ZacYates]

Re: Updates from Reno...

RARA has formally identified the pilot in an email newsletter:

Pilot Lost in Fatal Crash During Jet Gold Race
Aaron Hogue, 61, Lost in Fatal Crash
On Sunday, we lost a pilot and friend to a fatal crash during the third lap of the Jet Gold Race. Race #29, ?Ballista,? an Aero Vodochody L-29 was piloted by Aaron Hogue, who was killed on impact. An investigation into the incident is being conducted by the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). We will provide more information as it becomes available.

Our hearts, prayers, and support go out to Aaron?s family and friends, and also to those in the racing community who mourn with us.

Please watch the press conference from today from RARA Chairman and CEO Fred Telling in the block below.

[Ryanshort1]

Re: Updates from Reno...

Wayne, I feel like I need to be in the same room with you guys, to vent/cry/pray/bang my head... with a hard drink in one hand, a Bible in the other.

Not a bad choice. Life is short, death is certain, and things like this are tragic, but there are big picture things including the promise of eternal life.

[ZacYates]

Re: Updates from Reno...

there will be a time for a civil respectful discussion of this accident, today is just not the day.

My thoughts exactly Bob.

[tow-3]

Re: Updates from Reno...

i hate superstition, but I can't help but think.. 2001, 2011, we missed 2020 due to covid so 2021 was kind of 2020 so this year was kind of like 2021....

after retiring from reno in 2013 i considered going out there this year, i am glad i didn't, i don't think could have handled being there for another one like this.

blue skies and tailwinds, rest in peace jet pilot.

wayne, your not being a board nazi, the people here are more like family than most internet groups. for the most part, this group is very knowledgeable about aviation, there will be a time for a civil respectful discussion of this accident, today is just not the day.

[John H]

Re: Updates from Reno...

It feels like that Saturday afternoon in 99
or any day in 2007, I too was yelling at the TV in disbelief. So So sad indeed.

prayers to all

"bye bye Miss American Pie"

9/18/99 was 23 years ago today also.

[V1670]

Re: Updates from Reno...

This is not the first time most of us following the sport have experienced the heartache and.... guilt, feelings after an event like this afternoon.

When Steve Hinton went in in, crap... memory fade, '79? and they prematurely announced "we regret to tell you the pilot has lost his life" prior to them knowing Steve was still alive. I remember to this day the absolute GUILT that I felt walking to the car and the absolute joy when my young nephew came out to the parking lot after a PEE stop and told us that Steve had survived

Your memory is still sharp; yes, 1979. I was there and experienced the same "gut punch" with the premature announcement and then the joy when I heard he had survived..

[ZacYates]

Re: Updates from Reno...

Another update from RARA on Facebook, posted 40min ago:

We can confirm that during the Jet Gold Race on the third lap there was a fatal incident at Outer Pylon 5 today. There will be an investigation conducted by the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration.)

All other pilots landed safely and race operations for 2022 have been suspended. We express our deepest sympathies to the pilot?s family and friends as well as racers and race fans who make up our September family.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Updates from Reno...

Wayne, I feel like I need to be in the same room with you guys, to vent/cry/pray/bang my head... with a hard drink in one hand, a Bible in the other.
I expected to end the day whining about broken airplanes. Just not quite as broke.

I so wish I could transport everyone to a cheers like place where we could all drink ourselves silly and forget these moments

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Updates from Reno...

Wayne, I feel like I need to be in the same room with you guys, to vent/cry/pray/bang my head... with a hard drink in one hand, a Bible in the other.
I expected to end the day whining about broken airplanes. Just not quite as broke.

This is not the first time most of us following the sport have experienced the heartache and.... guilt, feelings after an event like this afternoon.

When Steve Hinton went in in, crap... memory fade, '79? and they prematurely announced "we regret to tell you the pilot has lost his life" prior to them knowing Steve was still alive. I remember to this day the absolute GUILT that I felt walking to the car and the absolute joy when my young nephew came out to the parking lot after a PEE stop and told us that Steve had survived

[TarDevil]

Re: Updates from Reno...

Wayne, I feel like I need to be in the same room with you guys, to vent/cry/pray/bang my head... with a hard drink in one hand, a Bible in the other.
I expected to end the day whining about broken airplanes. Just not quite as broke.

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Updates from Reno...

God, I'm so torn about how to "police" a thread like this. On the one side, part of me thinks that the discussion should be open, the other side thinking I need to keep a lid on speculation.. *sigh*

Said speculation and educated analysis of the accident sequence from a couple different angles are already discussed all over the net, including a couple angles of the actual event.

I think I'm being a board NAZI by not just letting everyone vent.. within reason.

I've watched the sequence in slow motion and have my own armchair opinion to what likely happened... I don't want to encourage that sort of open speculation here..

Again, tough editor decision on this one!

[wadeh]

Re: Updates from Reno...

I would make a suggestion to folks that it's probably not a good idea to discuss the details of the incident here. That's not just the identify of the pilot and aircraft involved.

I saw the whole thing from the grandstands and have my own thoughts. But after the 2011 accident, I have simply decided to never share them on a public forum, particularly while it is under investigation.

I never got around to posting my report from yesterday, as I was too exhausted and turned in early. Given the events of today, I'm probably going to skip any further reports. It just doesn't feel right to talk about it at this time. The only thing that I will say right now is that I hope that the air races continue. And if they do, I will be back next year.

My heart, thoughts and prayers are out to all of the family and friends.

[RAD2LTR]

Re: Updates from Reno...

A tough day today. Yes I saw the incident, no, I don't have pics as it was coming off P4, and I was on P2 and just happened to look north at the end of my last shot when I saw the impact and fireballs. I thought it was both aircraft.

Thats all I have, packing up and heading home.

Will

[Fence Sence]

Re: Updates from Reno...

Really odd incident. It seemed like something broke. I?m sure everyone has seen the video. Lots of crazy incidents today. Someone in a car hit a power pole on Red Rock. Knocked out the power up to the gas station. The Sport Gold was crazy. Just after that the Bearcat broke. Jet Gold fell right in line. Just one of those days?