By Staff
from wire reports
Sept. 14, 2002
Hickory, Miss., pilot Tommy Rose was killed Friday when his small place crashed during a race at the Reno-Stead Airport just north of Reno.
Rose was competing at the National Championship Air Races.
He was killed when his plane was racing in the third lap of the Sport Class competition, turned nose up and smashed into the ground about 2:45 p.m., race officials said.
Rose was flying his plane, a Questair Venture 20, named Ramblin Rose,'' at speeds in excess of 300 mph. He was making his fourth appearance at the annual air races.
Officials for the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating the crash scene.
Witnesses told the Reno Gazette-Journal the plane was starting into a turn when it suddenly pitched down and within seconds crashed into the sagebrush less than 100 yards from the home pylon in view of thousands of people in the stands.
It is heartbreaking,'' said Paul Synder, a pilot from Dallas.
You don't want to see somebody killed. You want to see good, fast races. You don't want to see that,'' he told KTVN-TV.
It marked the first death at the competition since 1999 and the 15th fatality in the 39-year history of the event.
Race officials said the championships would continue though Sunday.