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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Air show crash in Reno

Officials say the pilot, Jimmy Leeward, of a World War II-era fighter plane that crashed into the grandstands at an air race event in Reno, Nev., was killed in the wreck, along with 10 other people at Reno's National Championship Air Races on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. At least 70 people were injured.

This Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010, photo, shows longtime Reno Air Race pilot Jimmy Leeward with his P-51 Mustang. A spokesman for Reno’s National Championship Air Races says the P-51 Mustang that crashed into a box seat area at the front of the grandstand Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at the air race was piloted by Leeward. An official reported Friday that Leeward was killed in the crash.

The Reno Gazette-Journal, Marilyn Newton Associated Press


A P-51 Mustang airplane is shown upside down right before crashing at the Reno Air show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno Nevada. The plane plunged into the stands at the event in what an official described as a “mass casualty situation.”

Grass Valley Union, Tim O’Brien Associated Press


A P-51 Mustang airplane is shown right before crashing at the Reno Air show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev. A World War II-era fighter plane flown by a veteran Hollywood stunt pilot plunged into the edge of the grandstands Friday during a popular air race, killing 11 people, injuring more than 70 spectators and creating a horrific scene strewn with smoking debris.

Ward Howes Associated Press


A P-51 Mustang airplane is shown right before crashing at the Reno Air show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev. The plane plunged into the stands at the event in what an official described as a “mass casualty situation.”

Grass Valley Union, Tim O’Brien Associated Press


A P-51 Mustang airplane crashes into the edge of the grandstands at the Reno Air Show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev. The World War II-era fighter plane flown by a veteran Hollywood stunt pilot Jimmy Leeward plunged Friday into the edge of the grandstands during the popular air race, creating a horrific scene strewn with smoking debris.

Ward Howes Associated Press


A P-51 Mustang airplane crashes into the edge of the grandstands at the Reno Air Show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev.

Ward Howes Associated Press


A P-51 Mustang airplane crashes into the edge of the grandstands at the Reno Air Show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev.

Ward Howes Associated Press


Spectators duck as debris from a P-51 Mustang airplane crashing into the edge of the grandstands passes over their heads at the Reno Air Show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev.

Ward Howes Associated Press


Spectators and debris are seen after a P-51 Mustang airplane crashed at the Reno Air Show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno Nev. The plane plunged into the stands at the event in what an official described as a “mass casualty situation.”

Grass Valley Union, Tim O’Brien Associated Press


A crowd gathers around debris after a P-51 Mustang airplane crashed at the Reno Air Show on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev. The plane plunged into the stands at the event in what an official described as a “mass casualty situation.”

Grass Valley Union, Tim O’Brien Associated Press


People gather at the scene where a World War II fighter plane crashed into the stands at the Reno Air Races in Stead, Nev., on Friday, Sept. 16. Witnesses said the plane spiraled suddenly out of control and appeared to disintegrate upon impact. Reno Air Races President and CEO Mike Houghton said that among the dead is pilot Jimmy Leeward, 74, of Ocala, Fla.

Cathleen Allison Associated Press


Bystanders embrace after a Second World War II fighter plane crashed into the stands at the Reno Air Races in Stead, Nev., on Friday, Sept. 16. Witnesses said the plane spiraled suddenly out of control and appeared to disintegrate upon impact. Reno Air Races President and CEO Mike Houghton said that among the dead is pilot Jimmy Leeward, 74, of Ocala, Fla.

Cathleen Allison Associated Press


Medics wheel a man into Renown Medical Center after a plane crashed into the crowd at the Reno National Championship Air Races, Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev. A World War II era fighter plane plunged into the grandstands Friday during a popular annual air show, killing 11 and injuring at least 70 spectators and leaving a horrific scene of bodies and wreckage.

The Reno Gazette-Journal, Liz Margerum Associated Press


Medics help injured bystanders out of a helicopter into Renown Medical Center after a plane crashed into the crowd at the Reno National Championship Air Races Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev. A World War II-era fighter plane plunged into the grandstands Friday during a popular annual air show, killing 11 injuring at least 70 spectators and leaving a horrific scene of bodies and wreckage.

The Reno Gazette-Journal, Liz Margerum Associated Press


Medics help injured bystanders out of a helicopter into Renown Medical Center after a plane crashed into the crowd at the Reno National Championship Air Races on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, in Reno, Nev. A World War II-era fighter plane plunged into the grandstands Friday during a popular annual air show, killing 11 and injuring at least 70 spectators and leaving a horrific scene of bodies and wreckage.

The Reno Gazette-Journal, Liz Margerum Associated Press


Reno Mayor Bob Cashell listens to a press conference following the crash of a vintage World War II-era fighter plane into the grandstands during a popular annual air show, killing at least 11 people, injuring more than 70 spectators at the Reno Air Races in Stead, Nev., on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011.

Cathleen Allison Associated Press

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