By Douglas V. Gibbs
Last Friday in Reno, Nevada, a World War II era fighter plane being flown by a 74 year old Hollywood stunt pilot crashed into the ground near the edge of the grandstands. The accident killed three, and injured more than fifty people. The horror of strewn body parts spread across the scene as the victims were tended to by ambulance crews made the site even more frightening. The early indications are that the accident was not pilot error, but mechanical problems with the plane.
Shrapnel and debris flew into the crowd. A scene of fun, speed, and challenge turned out instead to be deadly, and despite how qualified and experienced the pilot was, somehow something was overlooked when it came to the mechanical stability of the plane.
The event is an annual one that normally draws thousands of people to Reno for the festivities. A normal schedule of events includes various military and civilian plane races. The organizers painstakingly prepare for the event with special care, inspecting the pilots' practice runs and briefing pilots on the route maneuvers and emergency procedures.
My condolences go out to the family and friends of the dead and injured.
I am wondering if this will be an excuse for the liberal left to demand heavier regulations against these kinds of shows.
It's not a perfect world, and it is a shame this happened, but heavier regulations usually do nothing to fix the problem, and only allows the camel to stick its nose further into the tent. Some regulation always winds up begetting stronger regulations, and eventually a compromise on freedom.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
Plane Crashes Into Crowd at Nevada Air Race, Killing 3, Injuring More Than 50 - Fox News
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