2011 National Championship Air Race Crash in Reno, NV

On September 16, 2011, about 1626 Pacific daylight time, a P-51 Mustang airplane, dubbed “The Galloping Ghost”, piloted by James “Jimmy” Leeman, who was participating in the National Championship Air Races and Air Show in Reno, Nevada, pitched oddly upward, twirled and took an immediate nosedive into a section of white VIP box seats where it crashed, killing the pilot and 9 others. At least 74 others on the ground received varying degrees of injuries. Media coverage of the crash has been extensive and is widely available on the internet.

This webpage has been added to give information about the crash and offer resources to those who have been effected.

The National Transportation Safety Board

The incident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Reno Air Race Association d/b/a National Championship Air Races and Air Show are parties to the investigation. The NTSB’s Preliminary Report can be found here. 

The NTSB Aviation Accident Investigation website for the incident can be found here. There you will find links to the Preliminary Report, Video of Press Briefings and a Press Release following the crash. The NTSB Accident No. is WPR11MA454.

Federal Aviation Administration

The Reno Air Race Association (RARA) is the air race sponsor and responsible for organizing the races and providing information to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), responsible for regulating the race, in conjunction with the forms 7711-1 and 7711-2, i.e. the aviation event waiver required to put on the races each year. In order to comply with FAA requirements the race organizers provide information such as maps of showlines, safety zones, spectator areas, etc. A copy of the Advisory Circular 91-45C and Order 8900.1 Change 86 can be found here. 

For information regarding the FAA Regulations to Issue a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization for an Aviation Event, click here. 

Reno Air Racing Association d/b/a National Championship Air Races

For information about the Reno Air Racing Association, Inc. d/b/a National Championship Air Races (RARA) please their website.

The RARA carried a $100 million liability policy at the time of the crash. Click here to view a copy of the Certificate of Liability Coverage.

A copy of the 2011 application participates were required to fill out, prior to entry in the National Championship Air Races and Air Show, can be found here.

Air Race and Air Show Safety Hearing

On January 10, 2012, the NTSB held an Air Race and Air Show Safety Hearing. A press release announcing the agenda allowed for government agencies, aviation event trade associations, show organizers and air show participates to serve as witnesses for the hearing.   The purpose of the meeting was said to:  (1) bring public attention to the safety issues involved in aviation event operations; and (2) provide NTSB Members and investigative staff with a deeper understanding of regulations, protocols and practices used in the planning and operations of air shows and air races. Information gathered in the hearing will assist NTSB staff in the investigation of air show and air race incidents and accidents. Click here to view the press release regarding the Safety Hearing.

The NTSB's Public Docket for this hearing has not yet been made available to the public.  More information regarding the hearing can be found here.