P-51 Mustang crash at air race in Reno 09-2011 - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Clk Man · #16 09-17-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

They should just ban old people.

What constitutes "Old People" to you?

Travis_k · #17 09-17-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

You're talking about piston planes flying at > 500 mph, the speed of a modern jetliner, and pulling hard G's while they're at it. The engines and airframes must be stressed as hell, no surprise if there was a failure. It's a dangerous sport, the racers know it, and the spectators should accept it as well.

I completely agree, it wouldn't be the first time something like that has happened there either. This is the first time there have been graphic pictures of spectator casualties on national news though, and I have to wonder if the event will be able to continue in the future.

panZZer · #18 09-17-2011, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

What constitutes "Old People" to you?

For example, the crispy guy who was flying this mustang.

pj67coll · #19 09-17-2011, 05:19 PM

It's a tragedy all right but hardly surprising given the nature of the sport and the proximity of the spectators. Adrenaline junkies is an apt description and as with all adrenaline inducing activities the possibility of accident is ever present. That's just the nature of the beast.

- Peter.

spdrun · #20 09-17-2011, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

For example, the crispy guy who was flying this mustang.

You mean, the guy who had part of his plane's tail fall off, and then still had the presence of mind to turn the plane AWAY from the bleachers?

panZZer · #21 09-17-2011, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrun

You mean, the guy who had part of his plane's tail fall off, and then still had the presence of mind to turn the plane AWAY from the bleachers?

Yea That guy, The crazee one flying the ole heap with the severly fatigued airframe. Some folks died because of this.

t walgamuth · #22 09-17-2011, 05:33 PM

On my 27 year old race car I had a hub failure and my wheel fell off. I spun harmlessly into the weeds at the side of the course and the wheel took off on a quarter of a mile sight seeing tour. Thank goodness it did not hit anything except my pride.

I was talking to a more experienced racer than myself (an even older fart) and he said that autocross stresses the suspension more than road racing and the tires have a lot more grip than anything available when the car was built so it is not surprising that there will be failures. He suggested I have new hubs made from steel, which I am considering even though it will be heavier.

Today I installed a new ignition coil on my Formula Ford and when I unbolted it the bracket holding in the coil came off in three pieces (instead of one). It had broken before and been welded in two places (

) so I bought a new one from Napa. It's made from thinner metal than the original and I noted some superfluous metal on it and ground that off (my rule is to always look at ways to cut off any metal or other object that is not structurally stressed to always reduce weight!

)

I imagine that it is the same with the mustangs. I bet they are flying them faster with more powerful engines than they ever flew when new, so this sort of failure is pretty much inevitable even with an excellent highly experienced pilot like the fellow in this crash. I imagine all the key parts are new but there surely is still a lot of the original airframe there.

The Clk Man · #23 09-17-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

For example, the crispy guy who was flying this mustang.

Was he regular recipe or extra crispy?

raymr · #24 09-17-2011, 06:23 PM

Somebody my wife knows was in the stand that the plane hit. He and his son had gotten up to get some drinks, and moments later the place where they were sitting was obliterated. Talk about fate!

The Clk Man · #25 09-17-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raymr

Somebody my wife knows was in the stand that the plane hit. He and his son had gotten up to get some drinks, and moments later the place where they were sitting was obliterated. Talk about fate!

Thank the Lord they went to get some drinks.

The Swede · #26 09-17-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

What constitutes "Old People" to you?

Anyone older than me.

The Clk Man · #27 09-17-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

Anyone older than me.

How old are you then?

Kuan · #28 09-17-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Adrenaline junkies. All of are susceptible to it. Reminds me of the injuries at that dirt track race in the dark. People standing right next to the track.

I dig the old planes, but I won't be going to any air shows. The pilot was what, 80? I hope to be active at that age but maybe it's wise to know one's limits.

Well he _did_ make it to 80. That's better than average.

I'd rather kicka$$ until I'm 80 and go out in a blaze of glory rather than wither away on the vine. It's really unfortunate that he took out a bunch of people though.

davidmash · #29 09-17-2011, 08:01 PM

I wish WVO would chime in but from what I have read so far this was not a frame or age related failure. The photo I saw was.of a trim elevator on tbe tail. I god be surprised if that were original to the plane.

This is a motor sport. The machines are pushed to their limits. This may have been a case where it was pushed farther but that does no indicate a structural failure.

Just my opinion.

The Swede · #30 09-17-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

How old are you then?

Younger than you