On September 17, 2023, two pilots competing in the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada died on Sunday after their planes collided while landing. The Reno Air association said the accident happened at 2 p.m during a race when concluding the five day air show. The race was being held for the first time at the Reno – Stead Airport after six decades of it being in the desert of northern Nevada. The annual air show had been held in the northern Nevada desert since 1964. A series of deaths at the event over a decade ago raised questions over whether regulations were strict enough. Three pilots died over four days in the 2007 Reno air race, and in 2011, ten spectators and a pilot were killed in a crash, prompting a National Transportation Safety Board hearing months later.
Officials identified the pilots as Nick Macy and Chris Rushing. Fred Telling, CEO of the Reno Air Racing association, gave a statement about the incident, saying “I am completely devastated and heartbroken today.” He described the two competitors as “skilled pilots” whom he considered “family.” The races were suspended after the accident. In March, organizers stated that they were looking for a new venue after the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority decided to stop hosting it. The Orange County Register reported: “Telling said at least six communities have filed to host the 2025 national championship.” He did not disclose the locations. The racing association hopes to announce a new location in early 2024.” This is not the event’s first fatal crash. A pilot was killed last year in a plane crash during a race, and in 2011, 11 people were killed and more than 60 others injured when a plane veered out of control and slammed into spectators. Authorities are still trying to find the reason for that crash.
