Ohio air show spectators witness fatal biplane crash

DAYTON, Ohio – A biplane performing stunts for an air show crashed into a runway Saturday in front of thousands of spectators, killing the pilot, officials said.

Jim LeRoy, 46, was in one of two planes making loop-the-loops with smoke trailing as part of the annual air show at Dayton International Airport. His Pitts aircraft slammed into the runway across a field from spectators and caught fire. The crowd stood stunned as the show was shut down.

“It came down and didn’t have enough room,” said Aaron Smith, who was watching with his 5-year-old son. “I could hear it crunch, hard. Some pieces came off.”

The plane struck the ground at an angle and slid about 300 yards, bursting into flames and spewing smoke, said Airport Fire Chief Mark Carpenter. It took less than a minute for fire trucks to arrive and start putting out the fire.

“We cut Mr. LeRoy out of the aircraft,” Carpenter said.

LeRoy died en route to Miami Valley Hospital, Carpenter said. The crash’s cause was being investigated.

LeRoy, a Marine veteran who had a degree in aeronautical engineering, was a design engineer with GE Aircraft Engines until he became a full-time stunt pilot in 1997.

He won the Art Scholl Award for showmanship in 2002, presented by the International Council of Air Shows, and the Bill Barber Award for showmanship in 2003, presented by the World Airshow News.

A performance by the Air Force Thunderbirds was canceled. Some people with ticket stubs from Saturday will be admitted to today’s scheduled performance, officials said.