Reno Air Race Crash Of A P-51 Thunder Mustang

There were several mishaps requiring emergency landings. Most of them were relatively uneventful. However one, the last one, was heart-stopping. Thankfully the pilot came out of it without any really serious injuries. Here, from a variety of sources are some photos. Since they are from a variety of sources, they are not in exact sequential order.

First, this Thunder Mustang had its engine stop. A Thunder Mustang is a custom-built replica of the P-51 and is about 2/3 the size of the real one. This one had a V-12 engine, and was no slouch in the speed department. It was built entirely of carbon fiber.

An Air Force fighter pilot and a very experienced R/C model flyer, knew that this pilot was in trouble when he attempted a landing on the original runway in lieu of two emergency strips. So he started taking a series of shots, shown below.

The plane touched down short of a complete turn onto the intended runway and hit the short taxiway between the two runways, heading straight for a group of planes parked on another taxiway and including the Canadian Snow Birds.

He hit a high spot on the grass, and the extreme cross wind (right to left) brought him airborne again and caused a cartwheel.

The right wing tip touched the ground, starting the cartwheel.

Note the apparent fuel escaping from the left wing tank

The engine and cowling break off as the cartwheel continues.

Now the tail comes off.

Notice the pilot in this shot. He's now in the very front of the plane with nothing in front of him but his seat belt. See his shoes.

Crash trucks got to the wreck almost before the dust settled.

Thankfully this pilot lives to fly again, although in his own words he may never race again.