Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
UPDATE: Video: Nine Dead, Over 50 Injured At Reno Air Show Crash
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 17, 2011
Modified Sep 17, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Sep 17, 2011
Modified Sep 17, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Three people were killed and 56 were injured after a World War II-era fighter plane flown by a veteran Hollywood stunt pilot crashed into the grandstands at the Reno Air Races in Nevada yesterday. "It's just like a massacre. It's like a bomb went off," Dr. Gerald Lent told the Reno Gazette-Journal. Watch some amateur video of the crash below. [UPDATE BELOW]
Witnesses say that 74-year-old Jimmy Leeward, who was piloting the P-51 fighter called The Galloping Ghost, was on his third lap of a race when he lost control. It spiraled out of control suddenly and appeared to disintegrate upon impact. "There are people lying all over the runway. One guy was cut in half. There's blood everywhere. There's arms and legs. One guy just said, 'Hey, there's another foot over here,'" said Lent of the bloody scene.
Stephanie Kruse, a spokeswoman for the Regional Emergency Medical Service Authority, said: "This is a very large incident, probably one of the largest this community has seen in decades. The community is pulling together to try to deal with the scope of it." She added that of the 56 injuries, 15 were considered in critical condition, 13 were serious condition with potentially life-threatening injuries and 28 were non-serious or non-life-threatening. You can see more pictures of the tragedy here.
Update: The death count has now been raised to nine.
Tagged
air show crash
crash
death
injuries
nevada
reno
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics
Because New Jersey is just trying to keep its people safe, here are your early links: Early voters get a spooky sticker, Tom Hanks returning to Broadway, a time capsule letter to the NYC mayor in 2026 and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 8:48 a.m. ET
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
Sukken Wong, 62, allegedly stabbed her nonverbal son, Byran Wong, 25, to death.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
Sukken Wong, 62, allegedly stabbed her nonverbal son, Byran Wong, 25, to death.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress
By
Walter Wuthmann
,
Jon Campbell
and
Brigid Bergin
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
By
Ryan Kost
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
By
Elizabeth Kim
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .